Nottingham Forest on verge of signing Lingard for almost £200,000 a week

Nottingham Forest are on the verge of signing Jesse Lingard after hijacking West Ham’s move for the former Manchester United midfielder.

Forest, who are keen to demonstrate their ambition after winning promotion to the Premier League, have agreed terms with Lingard on a contract worth close to £200,000 a week. The 29-year-old, a free agent after leaving United last month, underwent a medical on Wednesday night and a deal to take him to the City Ground could be completed soon.

West Ham had been cautiously optimistic that they were going to be reunited with Lingard, who excelled during a loan with David Moyes’s side two seasons ago. They were reluctant to meet the England international’s request for a deal worth £180,000, but believed that an offer of about £150,000 a week would convince him to return.

It came as a huge shock when it emerged that Forest were willing to break their wage structure for Lingard. West Ham were prepared to make him their highest earner despite concerns that it would cause disgruntlement in the dressing room. They will hope that Lingard has a late change of heart about his decision to join Forest, who have made eight signings since promotion.

As it stands Moyes is facing the disappointment of missing out on one of his key targets. West Ham’s manager believes that Lingard, who can play in a number of positions in attacking midfield, would improve his side’s output in the final third. Moyes, who turned down the chance to sign the Villarreal winger Arnaut Danjuma last month, has been the driving force behind the pursuit of Lingard.

West Ham will need to move on quickly if Lingard, who hopes that playing regularly will earn him an England recall before the World Cup, ends up at Forest. Moyes has made