Reliable journalist Pete O’Rourke has backed West Ham to complete the signing of Manchester United forward Jesse Lingard this summer.

The Lowdown: Hammers reignite interest

The 29-year-old spent the second half of the 2020/21 season out on loan at the London Stadium after receiving a considerable lack of game time with the Red Devils, and impressed with what he saw, David Moyes has been trying to secure the Premier League ace permanently ever since.

The Scot failed in his attempts back in January as a result of United refusing to let him go, but his contract at Old Trafford has now expired, meaning the Irons no longer have to negotiate with the Manchester outfit.

It was reported by Sky Sports just last week that the Hammers have now tabled an offer to the winger’s representatives in a bid to bring him back to East London for good.

The Latest: O’Rourke confident of Lingard deal

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke admitted that he is confident that Lingard will re-join West Ham and that it’s simply a matter of time. He said:

“You would expect this one to finally get done. Many people expected it to happen, but it’s dragged on and dragged on.

“We all know Jesse Lingard had a great spell on loan at West Ham and David Moyes is a huge fan of him as well. He’s now a free agent, so all roads point to West Ham now for Lingard, with other options seemingly gone away for Lingard as well.”

The Verdict: Guaranteed starter?

If Lingard were to put pen to paper and commit his future to the Irons, there’s no reason as to why he wouldn’t walk straight back into Moyes’ starting XI given the impact he had on loan in such a short amount of time.

The 32-cap international, who was once dubbed a ‘top class’ player by former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, made an outstanding 14 goal contributions in just 16 appearances during his time at the club, via Transfermarkt, showing just how much of a difference to a team with little goalscoring threat outside of Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen.

With West Ham no doubt fully focused on trying to regain a place in the Europa League next season, the return of Lingard alongside the likes of Bowen and Antonio in the final third could be just what they need to achieve their ultimate goal.