Jesse Lingard signing at West Ham United could be this week amid potential ‘issue’ if decision ‘drags on’
The situation regarding Jesse Lingard’s potential return to West Ham could be resolved this week as the longer it drags on the more of an “issue” it becomes, says Dean Jones.
The former Eurosport journalist told GIVEMESPORT (12 September) that he Hammers are making a “very full assessment” of the possibility and should be close to a decision, with a further extended delay potentially becoming a problem.
The 30-year-old has been training with the Irons and featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Ipswich during the international break which was subject to an agreement between both clubs not to publish any evidence from.
According to Jones: “They’re making a very full assessment of it. Obviously, they’ve been getting a close-up look at him in training and also in games behind closed doors.
“I don’t think a decision is very far away and it might even be at the back end of this week, one contact was saying that West Ham might make up their mind on what they do with Lingard.
“There isn’t a rush on it, but the longer it drags on, the more uncertainty it causes and the more of an issue it potentially becomes over why he hasn’t signed a contract.”
Now or never?
If West Ham want him then now would be the time to get Lingard signed since the Premier League squad needs to be registered by 13 September [BBC Sport].
If the former Manchester United and Nottingham Forest man hasn’t reached a sufficient level for their to be any prospect of him contributing in the league for at least half a season by now then maybe they don’t actually need to bring him back.
At his best he would clearly be an asset, but if he were at his best David Moyes would surely have pushed for a deal already.
Another club may take matters out of the Hammers’ hands if they put something on the table for him to sign ahead of the registration deadline.
Otherwise, while there are cup competitions he could potentially play in, it would be midseason before he could be a regular contributor.
It may be that having been frustrated on multiple occasions in attempting to re-sign Lingard after his successful loan spell at the London Stadium three seasons ago Moyes is attached to the idea that it is now possible.
It is hard to imagine any other player of the same profile who has gone unsigned elsewhere all summer kicking around at Rush Green without a decision being made for this long, but clearly Lingard looks to represent a special case for the Hammers boss.
In other West Ham news, after a failed move to the London Stadium before the deadline a Hammers target is now “persona non grata” at his club.