Report: Everton have put offer on the table for ‘top, top level’ player, but he might well reject them

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Former Manchester United man Jesse Lingard has the pick between three Premier League clubs, with the Telegraph reporting that Everton have also made an offer for the midfielder.

The 29-year-old’s contract expired at United at the end of last season after 14 years at the club. Lingard spent time on loan at clubs such as Brighton, Derby and most recently West Ham United, during his time there.

The midfielder was barely used last season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralph Ragnick as he only appeared 16 times in the Premier League. And 14 of them were substitute appearances so it’s clear that he has left in search of regular first-team football.

And now the England man is a free agent, he reportedly has offers from Everton, Nottingham Forest and West Ham.

Everton put offer on the table for Lingard

The Telegraph reports that Everton have offered Lingard a deal to join Frank Lampard on Merseyside. 

But the Toffees face stiff competition for his signature in West Ham and Forest, with both teams hopeful they will land him.

The report states that Moyes’ side are ‘hopeful’ they will sign Lingard permanently after he enjoyed a brilliant loan spell under the Scotsman during the second half of the 2020-21 season.

He arguably played the best football of his career under Moyes, registering nine goals and five assists in 16 games.

Forest ‘close’ to pulling off deal for Lingard

But, in a shock twist, the Telegraph reports that Forest are in advanced talks with Lingard and hope to pull off a deal. 

Jacob Steinberg claims that Steve Cooper’s side are indeed ‘close’ to bringing Lingard to the City Ground, but nothing is quite finalised yet. 

With reports suggesting that West Ham and Forest are both hoping to sign Lingard, it seems that the player may reject a move to Goodison Park in favour of either team. 

It would be a major shock if Lingard did decide to join a newly promoted side, given the interest in him, but being the star of the show at the City Ground does appear to be the most appealing option to the England international currently.

TBR’s View: Everton should focus on landing Wolves’ Morgan Gibbs-White

While Lingard would have been a good addition to Lampard’s squad, Wolves midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White would be a much better fit for the Toffees.

Lingard was brilliant at West Ham but Gibbs-White fits the profile of a player that Lampard can develop, due to his record with developing younger players.

The Wolves man can also play effectively as a winger, deeper midfielder and even a striker. The 22-year-old would certainly bring more versatility for Lampard’s team and has plenty of time to improve.