Football Transfer News: Jesse Lingard’s Disastrous Debut Occurs as Nottingham Forest Considers a World-Record Deal
The 29-year-old made his Reds debut in the opening weekend loss after leaving Manchester United at the end of last season on a free transfer. Lingard had a difficult day at work because he didn’t do well in the North East.
Forest lost their first game back in the top division after a 23-year absence. Goals from Fabian Schar and Callum Wilson gave the Magpies all three points. Harry Toffolo, Lewis O’Brien, Neco Williams, and Dean Henderson were among the newcomers picked by Steve Cooper in his starting XI.
After the game, though, Lingard’s performance—and his inability to have an impact—grabbed the attention. Lingard failed to complete one successful dribble, win a tackle, or win any of his seven duels. Additionally, he only managed one shot on goal, which Schar later stopped.
Although Lingard had only played once during the preseason and this was only his second game for the Reds, his performance was nevertheless criticised on social media.
“Happy to make my @officialnffc debut, can’t wait to see you all at the City Ground next weekend, thank you for your support,” Lingard wrote on Instagram.
The Reds are interested in signing Morgan Gibbs-White, who Forest is also trying to add to their ranks as an attacking midfielder. Wolves have already rejected three offers for the player. They are holding out for one around £40 million (£30 million plus £10 million add-ons), which they might accept.
Cooper is eager to reunite with Gibbs-White, with whom he previously worked at England Under 17. The midfielder also made an impression last season while on loan at Sheffield United against Forest in the Championship play-off semifinal.
Despite starting for Wolves against Leeds United on the first day of the season, Gibbs-White is rumoured to be interested in moving to Forest. His current contract is slated to end in 2024. However, he has reportedly declined to consider a renewal.
The Premier League team with the most activity in the current transfer window is Forest. The Reds didn’t reveal their first summer acquisition until the last week of June.
Taiwo Awoniyi signed in a record-breaking £18.5 million transfer from Union Berlin. That was the first of several spur-of-the-moment signings as Cooper reassembled his revamped squad.
Henderson joined Forest on a season-long loan from Manchester United. For a total of £56 million, Giulian Biancone, Omar Mangala Moussa Niakhaté, Omar Richards, and Williams also moved to the club.
Forest completed the double raid for O’Brien and Toffolo from Huddersfield. Wayne Hennessey came from Burnley on a free transfer to support Henderson.
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