Atletico Madrid join West Ham in race for Jesse Lingard
Atletico Madrid have joined West Ham United in the race for Manchester United attacker Jesse Lingard, according to 90min.
The 28-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan with the Hammers, and the high intensity running and pressing he displayed appeal to manager Diego Simeone.
The Red Devils want more than £25million for Lingard, and that has put off West Ham from making a bid.
90min claim he has instructed his representatives to explore options abroad, with Atletico making their interest known.
Big blow
West Ham have a very slim chance of landing the England international should the La Liga winners indeed join the race for his signature.
While playing in the Europa League with us is appealing, Atletico are offering him the chance to play in the Champions League and challenge for domestic silverware.
Lingard wants to play at next summer’s World Cup after missing out on manager Gareth Southgate’s European Championship final squad, and a move to Atletico could increase his chances if he gets to play regularly and win something.
The Spanish giants have money to spend after winning the league and qualifying for Europe’s elite competition, and meeting Man Utd’s demands should be easy for them.
We would love to have Lingard join us permanently, but the recent reports have not been encouraging.
The West Ham board do not look eager to spend that much on a player that has just 12 months left on his contract, and manager David Moyes may have to come up with another attacking midfield option.
In other West Ham news, talks underway as Hammers want to sign 27-year-old with six trophies.
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