West Ham United close to agreeing deal for Jesse Lingard

Declan Rice and Jesse Lingard of West Ham, during a lap of appreciation-23.05.2021
Declan Rice and Jesse Lingard of West Ham, during a lap of appreciation-23.05.2021 - IMAGO / PA Images

West Ham United have reportedly held further talks with free agent Jesse Lingard over a possible move to east London.

The former Manchester United attacker became a free agent after his contract at the Old Trafford side expired last month.

According to the English newspaper, The Guardian, David Moyes is eager to bring him to London and has held several talks with him to convince him to come to the club where he spent six months on loan.

Lingard spent the second half of the 2020-21 Premier League season on loan with the Hammers and enjoyed a hugely productive spell where he scored nine goals in 16 games.

Despite enjoying a renaissance under Moyes for six months Lingard found regular playing time difficult to come by at United, under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick. Despite his lack of action, the England man, who can operate as a winger or an attacking midfielder, remains a well-sought player with Nottingham Forest also monitoring the situation.

Other clubs are tracking Lingard, such as Leicester City, Everton, Newcastle United and Tottenham. MLS clubs and a team in Saudi Arabia are also interested. 

But the 29-year-old’s wage demands have made his situation complex. According to reports, Lingard is demanding wages of £ 180,000 a week; a figure that some of the clubs interested in his services are unable to pay. However, Lingard is now close to deciding on his future, with West Ham leading the race. 

The Manchester United academy graduate played 232 times for the Red Devils scoring 35 goals.  

Meanwhile, West Ham have already signed Nayef Aguerd from Rennes, while Alphonse Areola made his loan move from Paris Saint-Germain permanent.

The Hammers are also in the race to sign Armando Broja from Chelsea.