Neville and Carragher target Lingard as mixed reports emerge over Nottm Forest wages

Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have questioned Jesse Lingard's decision to join Nottingham Forest this summer from West Ham United.

Lingard finally left Man Utd earlier this summer when his contract expired in July. He really should have left last year after his excellent loan spell at West Ham.

The Englishman clearly regretted his decision as he sought to leave Man Utd in January, with Newcastle United interested.

Lingard earns £80,000 or £200,000 a week and Gallagher missed his chance at Chelsea

Lingard looked set to return to West Ham this summer until Nottm Forest invited them to sign a signing no one saw coming before the transfer window opened.

When this deal was announced, it was reported that the midfielder would be earning £200,000-a-week at Forest.

But earlier this week The Telegraph's John Percy suggested that Lingard's one-year contract at Forest would actually see him earn around £80,000 a week.

Percy also thinks Lingard would have made more money if he had joined West Ham, as he would have earned £127,000 a week.

Carragher is adamant he would only reject West Ham to join Forest instead 'for the money':

"He [Jesse Lingard] went there [Nottingham Forest] for the money. I love Nottingham Forest, they're back [in the Premier League]," Carragher said during the latest Overlap Fan Debate.

"If a footballer chooses Nottingham Forest at the moment, before West Ham and what they have done for the last two or three years, obviously they have gone there for a few pounds. And, the fact that he is only signed for one year means next year on a free decision or Bosman.

"There's a good chance that Forest will fall, but it puts Jesse Lingard in a good position if he scores eight to ten goals for them. But, if West Ham want you now, I can't believe that he's never been to West Ham. It's great for Nottingham Forest."

Neville isn't sure about Lingard's decision either, as he believes his move to Forest means his reputation has 'taken a hit':

"It seemed really transactional [Lingard signing for Nottingham Forest]," Neville added.

"Football fans, ultimately, later in the year, if Jesse has started to be tied down four or five months with where he's going to go next year - it's not going to end well.

"The fans don't like transactional stuff like that. They're happy to play the game. They [Nottingham Forest] could have shaped it in a different way. Two years [on a contract] and if we go down , a little clause in the contract that says you can leave for free.

“Jesse could have been smart. Reputation, he took a hit. He could have signed a two-year contract where he would leave at the end of the season – if they fall – for free.”