West Ham remain optimistic for star Man Utd signing as part of three summer deals

West Ham are reportedly still hopeful that they will be able to land Manchester United star Jesse Lingard as one of three potential free transfers this summer.

Lingard had fallen out of favour at Manchester United before his loan switch to east London last season. The season prior he was utilised sparingly, making just 22 league appearances.

He soon became a hit with West Ham though. Lingard started 16 games for the Hammers, and contributed to 14 goals in that time.

Given his cult hero status, many fans clamoured for him to be signed permanently. Links between him and West Ham hardly stopped over the last two transfer windows.

However, he has remained at Manchester United this season. The 29-year-old has featured in 16 league games, starting just twice, and has scored two goals.

Journalist Rudy Galetti reports that West Ham are still monitoring Lingard.

The attacking-midfield star is out of contract at the end of the season. Furthermore, it looks increasingly likely that he will move on from the club.

Given the warm reception he got from West Ham fans, and the quality he showed at the club, a move could be on the cards.

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However, Galetti also reports that ‘many clubs’ are also interested in the star.

Newcastle United have cropped up with interest of late. While Lingard excelled at West Ham, the project at Newcastle may also be of interest.

Lingard one of three potential Hammers free transfers

As well as Lingard, there are a couple of other players that will soon be out of contract that the Hammers are monitoring.

Those players are Burnley’s James Tarkowski and Blackburn’s Ben Brereton Diaz, though there is believed to be an option in the latter’s contract for an extra 12 months at Ewood Park.

Both men have previously been linked with moves to the Hammers.

However, there have also been links between both men and other clubs. Brereton Diaz has been tipped with a move to Sevilla, who will no doubt be able to give him a shot at Champions League football.

There have also been whispers of a move to another Premier League side for Tarkowski.

However, the project at West Ham – particularly given their Europa League exploits – seems an interesting one, and they may be able to tempt one or two of those stars to the club.

What’s more, if they win the Europa League they too could have Champions League football to offer.

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