Club insider speaks out, confirming Lingard has West Ham, Man Utd transfer sense
West Ham will ramp up efforts to sign Jesse Lingard on a permanent transfer from Manchester United in the coming weeks, a report claims.
The midfielder had become the forgotten man at Man Utd earlier in the season amid his lack of game time. While he made three cup appearances, he failed to play a single minute in the Premier League. However, he turned his fortunes right around after moving to east London in January.
He netted nine goals and assisted five others in 16 top-flight games, leading to a return to the England team.
Lingard did not make the final Euro 2020 squad, but he could still have an exciting few months ahead if he can sign a permanent deal with the Hammers.
Boss David Moyes has insisted that he would relish the prospect of such an arrangement.
While a potential place at Euro 2020 would have put his transfer dealings on hold, The Sun reports that West Ham will now step up their chase given he now has free time on his hands.
A club insider reportedly told the newspaper: “Jesse knows we want him, so hopefully the club will pursue him in the next month or so.”
Meanwhile, Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted earlier this year that Bruno Fernandes’ form has proved largely responsible for Lingard’s lack of action.
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Donny van de Beek has also arrived and is yet to find his feet at Old Trafford after his debut season.
As such, Lingard would likely be better off moving elsewhere. His contract at United runs out next summer, so unless the Red Devils are planning on offering him a new deal, this summer is their last chance to get a solid fee.
West Ham eye striker transfer
As well as attacking midfield, striker has proved a problem position for West Ham in recent seasons.
Sebastian Haller arrived as a club-record signing but struggled for form and was sold for a loss to Ajax for a loss in January.
Meanwhile, Michail Antonio was one of the Premier League’s best players at the end of the 2019/20 season. However, he has a bad record with hamstring injury in particular.
As a result, one report claims that a Premier League star who won his club’s Player of the Year Prize is on West Ham’s radar.