Jesse Lingard ‘remains hopeful’, wants to impress David Moyes at West Ham United and ‘could sign at any time’
Jesse Lingard “remains hopeful of impressing” David Moyes in order to get re-signed by the West Ham manager, according to The Athletic.
The outlet reported via their website on Saturday morning (2 September) that the 30-year-old “could sign at any time” as a free agent, as he continues training with the team to build up his fitness after playing only four times in 2023 at Nottingham Forest.
It emerged on deadline day that he wasn’t set to get a contract yet as he hasn’t reached the required level, and for now the manager has said he isn’t ready to decide.
Moyes said, via The Athletic: “Jesse’s doing quite well and he’s getting his shape back. But there will be no discussion on Jesse yet. When we’re ready, we will do; but he’s working hard and he’s shown a great attitude to his work. It’s taken a bit of time to get him back into condition.”
Potential
The Lingard of more recent times isn’t likely to add much to this West Ham side at the moment, after his much-heralded pick-up by Steve Cooper’s Forest last summer proved to be anything but a success.
Essentially, since he ended his previous loan spell under Moyes two years ago his career has been on a downward trajectory back at Manchester United then at the City Ground.
The Irons boss put a lot of effort into trying to bring him back after that but was kept at arm’s length, and now it seems Lingard needs the club more than they need him.
But he undoubtedly has quality when he’s at his best so if he can get back to that level then Moyes would be foolish not to consider it since the ex-England international is already in-house.
It doesn’t seem like it is in the offing particularly soon however, and as long as the team keeps getting results that won’t matter.
But once injuries start to bite as we get towards the winter there is every chance he gets a short-term deal at least, unless another club swoops in to disappoint Moyes again.
In other West Ham news, Manchester City have signed a player after he left the London Stadium according to Fabrizio Romano.