Fabrizio Romano issues update on West Ham United target Jesse Lingard
Former Manchester United attacker Jesse Lingard’s future appears to be sealed after he trained at West Ham for over a month.
Fabrizio Romano took to Twitter on Friday (22 September) to claim that he joined Saudi Arabian club Al Ettifaq on a training basis.
This is valid for a month after which the Suadi Arabian club can decide whether or not to sign the England international.
Via Twitter, Romano wrote, “Jesse Lingard has joined Al Ettifaq on training valid for one month — as he’s still available as free agent. Up to Lingard and Ettifaq if they want to proceed together, Steven Gerrard will be key to decide too.”
It’s pretty evident that he did not impress the decision makers after his stint at Rush Green and that’s something worth noting.
A couple of years ago, David Moyes would’ve salivated at the opportunity to sign Lingard permanently, and now despite him being available on a free transfer and training with the club, the decision has been made.
Sure, he’ll be earning more money in Saudi than the Premier League, but if any of the 20 teams wanted him, there’s a feeling he would’ve joined him.
He will have worked up on his fitness after playing a few reserve games for the Hammers and is perhaps ready to make an impression under Steven Gerrard.
Just a few hours ago, Moyes spoke about Lingard progressing but there seemed to be a feeling that he was not quite convinced.
This all but seals his future at least when it comes to him ever donning a West Ham jersey again and that no longer seems to be on the cards for the 30-year-old.
In other West Ham news, a Hammers star has the same conversation with a manager as James Maddison did before he joined Tottenham Hotspur.