Al-Ettifaq emerges as ‘most likely’ destination for Jesse Lingard after West Ham United training
A move to Al-Ettifaq is “most likely” for free agent Jesse Lingard after he trained at West Ham, according to ESPN.
The publication reported on its website on Thursday (19 October) that the Saudi club want to make space in their squad for the attacker.
Saudi Pro League rules permit eight foreign players in a matchday squad, with Steven Gerrard’s side currently having 10.
“Lingard, who has also had interest from La Liga side Osasuna, has been without a club since leaving Nottingham Forest at the end of the season,” according to ESPN.
“He has also spent time training with West Ham, where he had a successful loan spell in 2021, but a permanent move to Al-Ettifaq, who are seventh in the Saudi Pro League table six points behind leaders Al-Hilal, now looks most likely.”
Best outcome?
The future of Lingard has been unresolved for quite some time now, with the 30-year-old last playing competitively for Premier League club Nottingham Forest last season.
He then spent a lengthy period training with the Hammers, but the East London club are seemingly not keen on making a move for their former loanee.
Lingard enjoyed a fantastic loan spell at the London Stadium club not so long ago during his struggles at permanent side Manchester United.
Many West Ham fans were then annoyed at the attacker for his decision to leave Old Trafford for Nottingham, with a return to East London seemingly on the cards back then.
He now looks set for Saudi Arabia, where the former England international would link up with several high-quality players, many of whom played in the Premier League not so long ago.
That seems like the best move for David Moyes’s side, who are currently going strong in all competitions without the player.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are in the hunt to sign one Bundesliga ace, with £35million needed to seal the transfer.