Likely Lingard loan could change West Ham striker plans – The Athletic
West Ham are set to sign Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard on a six-month loan deal but the move could have repercussions on a move for a striker, according to The Athletic.
Lingard has been left out in the cold at Old Trafford this season and has failed to make a Premier League appearance which has led him to seek a move elsewhere.
Former United boss David Moyes is now in charge at the London Stadium and it looks like he has beaten the likes of West Brom and Newcastle United to the 28-year-old’s signature.
According to Athletic correspondent David Ornstein, the Irons will pay a loan fee of around £1million with Said Benrahma’s deal to be made permanent in order to free up a loan slot.
The Athletic also report that Lingard’s arrival could spell the end of the search for a striker.
West Ham sold club-record signing Sebastien Haller to Ajax earlier in the window and had been expected to replace him with Michail Antonio the only other recognised forward option at the club.
Can Irons cope with just Antonio?
News that a move for Lingard could spell the end of a search for a striker is sure to go down like a lead balloon with Hammers fans.
There has been so much positivity beaming around the London Stadium of late with Moyes inspiring his side to fourth in the Premier League after Tuesday evening’s 3-2 win at Crystal Palace chalked up a fourth successive league win and six in all competitions.
Haller started the first of these victories in the 1-0 Goodison Park victory over Everton but after his departure Antonio has started four of the next five following his injury return with Andriy Yarmolenko also being trialled up front in Saturday’s FA Cup defeat of Doncaster Rovers.
The Ukraine international scored and impressed with his all-round performance but standing out against a League One side is not enough to convince supporters that he can do the job on a regular basis.
Antonio has missed eight Premier League games through injury this season and has shown his importance to the side with five goals in 12 games alongside his all-action forward displays.
If the worst does happen and injury strikes again for Antonio Moyes and fans will be left ruing the club’s inability to secure a striker in January.
The West Ham boards needs to back the team with a new forward in the transfer window or be left with egg on their face when the inevitable occurs.
In other West Ham news, see our exclusive interview with Frank McAvennie for his verdict on Irons’ 2020 signings.