West Ham United slip to back of the Jesse Lingard queue ahead of summer move
Jesse Lingard may never return to West Ham despite leaving Manchester United as other clubs appear to have moved ahead of them for a summer transfer.
The 29-year-old enjoyed a sparkling loan spell at the London Stadium in the second half of last season but opted to return to Old Trafford rather than make his stay permanent.
A frustrating year in Manchester has left him, and his brother, unhappy with the way he has been treated by the club and he looks certain to leave when his contract expires following the end of the season.
It seemed natural that a return to the Hammers would make the most sense for him, having performed so well under David Moyes previously.
But it now looks like the Irons manager may not get the opportunity to utilise the England attacker again.
A report in The Times says: “Newcastle United, AC Milan, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain have all registered an interest in signing Jesse Lingard, who is leaving Manchester United after becoming frustrated by his lack of game time.
“Sources close to Lingard indicated that there is no point in Erik ten Hag, the incoming United manager, trying to persuade the 29-year-old England international to stay at Old Trafford.
“Negotiations with two of the four clubs are understood to be at an advanced stage.”
Miss out again
It is becoming a frustratingly common theme for fans of the Europa League semi-finalists to be in the running for a move that could benefit a thin squad, only to be left empty handed.
Big-money offers for Benfica’s Darwin Nunez and Leeds pair Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha dominated the January transfer window.
But not only did none arrive then but if the trio move in the summer they all now have other clubs leading the chase for them.
A return to east London for Lingard can’t be entirely ruled out, and the player himself might realise he made the wrong choice to opt out last time.
Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain particularly have a record of hoovering up free transfers who are then looking for the exit within a couple of seasons after struggling for game time.
If this situation ends with that coming to pass it would be doubly frustrating for the Hammers, who have already shown they can work well with Lingard in the team.
Unless there is an unexpected turn it looks like the club might once again have to turn their attentions elsewhere in order to strengthen the squad.
In other West Ham news, one forgotten Hammer has raved about being at an “addictive” club like this during a special season.
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