Declan Rice mocks West Ham-linked Jesse Lingard
Declan Rice has sent West Ham-linked Jesse Lingard, 29, a ‘savage’ message on Instagram during the Premier League’s winter break.
The Manchester United forward wants out of the club after not starting a Premier League game for two years making just 17 appearances in that time as per Mirror.
With his loan deal to Newcastle recently breaking down, West Ham remain the only club tipped to sign the England international but United seem reluctant to strengthen the Hammers amid the pair’s fight for Champions League football.
Lingard took to Instagram to show off his shooting drill with the caption “working”.
To which Rice replied, “The keeper lost his hands?”
End of the season
Newcastle dropping out of the race offers West Ham a glimmer of hope in terms of securing Lingard in January, but Manchester United have made it quite clear they are reluctant to strengthen a rival.
With his contract up at the end of the season, that is when the Hammers should make their move for the 29-year-old.
He was excellent during his time at the London Stadium and would certainly want to come back, it is likely he would be back in east London already if it weren’t for United’s stubbornness.
Bringing him in at the end of the season on a free would be a great piece of business, it means the club can negotiate a contract with Lingard rather than paying his extortionate £100,000 per week wage which is one of the factors that put Newcastle off the loan deal.
Although it doesn’t help the team this season it could be a good long term move for the Irons with Lingard more than proving what he is capable of during his short spell at the club.
In other Hammers news, View: West Ham ‘concerned’ Liverpool will come calling again for Bowen.