By Saikat Mandal

26th Jun, 2022 | 2:14pm

Jesse Lingard 'weighing up options' amid West Ham United transfer link

West Ham United are not close to signing Jesse Lingard but the England attacking midfielder is “weighing up options”, according to ExWHUemployee.

The reliable Hammers source wrote on his Patreon on 26 June that reports of Lingard being close to moving are “wide of the mark”.

The Daily Mail reported on 25 June that the Irons had submitted a new contract offer to the 29-year-old to sign him on a free transfer after he was released by Manchester United.

Ex suggests that the offer has been in from the start of the window, and as such the Hammers have not made any new offer for him.

Difficult

The interest in Lingard from West Ham seems genuine. He excelled during his loan spell at the club, and the Hammers tried to sign him last summer as well. 

The Hammers will be looking to bolster their attacking options this summer, and Lingard could be a handy option, considering he is available for free. 

However, therein lies the big problem. Lingard is expected to demand a huge weekly wage, thought to be in the region of £180,000 per week, which will make him the highest-paid player at the club. 

Lingard hardly played for the Red Devils last season, and the club felt it was time to let him go. 

He has loads of Premier League experience and is a versatile attacker as well. However, will the Hammers look to break the wage structure for him? It’s highly unlikely. 

The club must move on from Lingard and look for other options. They have already made one brilliant signing in the form of Nayef Aguerd and are close to landing Alphonse Areola as well. 

Signing a new striker, one or two central midfielders and a left-back should now be the top priority for David Moyes.