Ex-Man Utd forward wanted by Everton in January after 56 career goals

Everton are reportedly exploring a deal for former Manchester United forward Jesse Lingard.

He is a free agent after leaving Nottingham Forest at the end of last season. Lingard, 31, has endured a difficult few years after struggling to make an impact at Nottingham Forest last season. He netted just twice in 20 appearances in all competitions, starting just 12 times in the league under Steve Cooper.

It was a far cry from the stunning form we saw from him during a loan spell at West Ham United during the 2020/21 season as he netted nine times and provided five assists in 16 Premier League games under David Moyes. That spell was his last rich vein of form and he has spent his time since being released by Forest in July, as he had been training with Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, however nothing came of it.

And now, according to talkSPORT, Everton are reportedly interested in offering the former Manchester United attacker a short-term deal until the end of the season. As it stands, Everton's financial situation is certainly a difficult one. Their 10-point deduction came as a result of breaching financial fair play and sustainability rules and recent reports from the club have revealed there is unlikely to be any incomings in January.