Jesse Lingard’s Transfer To Nottingham Forest Makes Sense For Both Parties

Nottingham Forest confirmed the signing of Jesse Lingard on Thursday, on what on the face of it is an unusual one-year contract, but one that actually makes sense for both parties.

Lingard, 29, had been a free agent since his contract with Manchester United expired this summer, and he was linked with numerous clubs including Major League Soccer sides and West Ham United where he spent a successful half-season on loan in 2021.

The club he eventually joined have just been promoted to the Premier League for the first time since the late 1990s, and as one of the favourites to be relegated straight back down to the Championship they really have nothing to lose this season.

If they are prudent with their recruitment, and the contracts they hand out take into account the possibility of an immediate return to the Championship, they could see this season in the Premier League as something of a free hit.

The extra money they’ll generate from playing in one of the most lucrative leagues in the world, even for one season, gives them a chance to build, not just for possible survival, but also for the future and more seasons in the top flight.

The signing of Lingard is part of that shot at Premier League survival, and the deal makes sense for the player and his new club.

The player’s incentivised wage, which could reach $150,000 per week with bonuses, keeps him on something similar to that he received from Manchester United, with a chance for more should he perform as the club hopes and those bonuses are paid.

And if he does perform to such a level, and others around him such as new signings Taiwo Awoniyi and Neco Williams also hit the ground running, Forest have a fighting chance of staying up.

If they are unable to do so, and Lingard can’t quite perform as expected, the one-year deal means the club will be free of his wage as they look to challenge for promotion from the Championship once again in 2024.

The scenarios fit a wage structure for this season and next, with this season’s budget no doubt higher due to the extra Premier League income. The only issue might be the difference between Lingard’s contract and others at the club, though this can happen at many teams, especially newly promoted ones, and other new signings won’t be on Championship wages either.

Though he didn’t make the move to MLS, in some ways Lingard is still something of a Designated Player at his new club—a player whose wage exceeds a club’s usual salary budget, and is expected to lead the team on and off the pitch.

Steve Cooper’s side have made several signings already ahead of the new season as they bid to stay in the Premier League, but the Forest manager has been careful to assemble a team that can perform the style of play he wants to implement.

“There are loads of good players that are available you can buy or get offered to you,” Cooper said on Wednesday prior to Lingard’s signing.

“But it’s not just that. Obviously, we want good players, but we want good players who fit our way of playing, fit our culture and fit our atmosphere.

“There are lots of things which go into that. It’s like trying to put a jigsaw together, really.

“All of the players we have signed so far—and have kept [from last season]— everyone knows they are good players, but they are players who suit how I want the team to play. And they act and work and behave in the right way.”

Lingard is a hard-working attacking midfielder who will contribute on both sides of the ball. During his time at West Ham, he was one of the best in the league in his position and was a regular England international before he fell out of favour at Manchester United.

Forest will be hoping they get the West Ham version of Lingard, and the player will be hoping to prove he still has what it takes to stand out in the Premier League. If he is able to, one of the favourites for relegation this season could surprise a few people.