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West Ham United: Irons ‘close’ to Jesse Lingard capture
West Ham United are reportedly closing in on the signing of Manchester United attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard, according to the Daily Mail.
The lowdown: Prodigal son
Lingard spent a hugely successful spell on loan at the London Stadium in 2021, where the former England regular scored nine times and provided five assists in 16 Premier League outings.
With the 29-year-old having seemingly recaptured his best form, David Moyes attempted to bring him to east London on a permanent basis, only for the versatile attacker to choose a return to his boyhood club to fight for a place.
Following a forgettable 2021/22 campaign for him and his club, Lingard is set to become a free agent on July 1, and the Irons appear well placed to forge a reunion…
The latest: Lingard deal ‘close’
As per the Daily Mail, West Ham are believed to be ‘close’ to striking a deal to bring the 32-cap Englishman back to the club on a free transfer.
It’s claimed that Moyes views Lingard as a ‘key target’ this summer, with a move nearing completion following ‘further talks’ this week.
The report added that, after initial talks, the Hammers are ‘going back with a new offer’ for the man once hailed for a ‘top class’ performance as Manchester United captain by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in a 2-1 defeat against Astana in the Europa League in 2019.
The verdict: Money well spent
This is a signing full of positives for the Irons. Not only is Moyes adding a high-class player to the ranks, there is also little danger of Lingard upsetting the harmony within the dressing room, having already adapted well among his potential new team-mates previously.
The pacey 29-year-old made just 22 fleeting appearances across all competitions last season, scoring twice and providing one assist, and will therefore be looking to reinvigorate a stalling career once again at West Ham.
Should West Ham re-sign Lingard?
Definitely
No, had his chance
Furthermore, it’s not only a move with an abundance of positives in terms of bolstering squad strength – reacquainting Lingard with Declan Rice on the pitch as well as off it – it could also be beneficial to the east Londoners as Chelsea reportedly begin to circle for the 23-year-old Hammers hero.
Still holding a market value of £16.2m (Transfermarkt), signing a player with Champions League experience and supreme versatility in advanced positions for nothing has to be regarded as a smart piece of recruitment from the West Ham hierarchy, should the move for Lingard get over the line.
