18 April 2023 , 07:53
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Jesse Lingard is set to be offered an escape route from Nottingham Forest following a dreadful debut campaign at the City Ground.
The midfielder joined Forest from Manchester United on a free transfer in last summer' transfer window. But he has struggled to make an impact in the East Midlands, starting just 12 Premier League games in Forest's battle for survival.
While injury has restricted his game-time, the Englishman has had just 60 minutes of game-time since New Year's Day. With Forest in serious danger of relegation having gone 10 games without a win, it appears that Lingard may curtail his stay after just one season.
The 30-year-old's contract with Forest will expire at the end of the campaign and he will almost certainly move on. According to the Daily Mail, at least three clubs are interested in offering Lingard a deal in the summer.
It is said that Fenerbahce and several teams in the Middle East are eyeing a move for the former England international. Lingard is also attracting Premier League interest, with Leicester thought to be 'tentatively' considering him as a transfer option.
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The Foxes will prioritise a move for Lens striker Lois Openda if they are able to beat the drop themselves. They could also add Lingard to their shopping list, though a move for him may have to be sanctioned by whoever takes over permanently in the summer.
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Lingard has struggled since joining Nottingham Forest last summer (Getty Images)Lingard was handed just two minutes as Forest were easily beaten by United on Sunday. Ahead of that game, boss Steve Cooper admitted the 30-year-old had endured a difficult experience in Nottingham.
"Like everybody, he’s giving everything to be in a position where he wants to contribute. Jesse is as determined as anybody else in the group. He’s had a bit of a tough time," Cooper, who is coming under pressure amid his side's awful run, said.
"He’s missed some games through injuries that haven’t been long-term injuries but have just not allowed him to be available for games. Against Manchester United, he’d love to be involved and even more than that contribute in a really, really positive way.
"But the most important thing at the moment is the greater good of the team and what we’re trying to do. Any individual situation around that is not as important as the collective. Results have not been anywhere near what we would have hoped, wanted and needed to be.
"That for me is the be-all and end-all. There’s such a strong togetherness and culture at the club. We’re all frustrated with recent results but determined and motivated because there’s still so much to achieve and so much can be done."
Lingard's limited cameo against United was the first time he had stepped on the pitch in the Premier League for five games. The defeat left them 18th in the top-flight and have just seven games left to save their status.