If Jesse Lingard was on Love Island he'd be one of those contestants who flirts with everyone while taking the whole series to make a commitment. If Nottingham Forest are prepared, as reported in the Daily Mail, to pay him close to £200,000 a week (though a lot of this may be add-ons) then good luck to them. There's no way West Ham can pay him more than Rice and Bowen and we've seen the problems of players on long-term contracts with high-wages who underperform — Yarmolenko was on £120k a week and never justified that level of expenditure, while Wilshere and Anderson also cost the club a lot in wages.
The whole Lingard saga has dragged on too long — he's had the whole of last season and now this summer to think about his future. Yes, he was fantastic in his loan spell, he has to consider all options and it's a short career, but does Lingard want to maximise his wages or go where the football opportunities are best? He's guaranteed European football and a decent side at West Ham whereas Forest could be involved in a relegation struggle. He's also been considering offers from the US and Saudi Arabia according to the press. He either wants to play for West Ham or he doesn't. There are other targets out there and Lingard has already missed half the pre-season. As my WHU pal Lisa's favourite band Bucks Fizz might have put it, it's time for making your mind up, Jesse.
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