Report: West Ham fear Manchester United are keen on retaining Jesse Lingard
West Ham United are reportedly worried that Man United are set to make a “shock U-turn” and keep hold of Jesse Lingard in the summer.
In his piece for The Sun, Duncan Wright has revealed that people inside Man United could be keen on retaining the services of the attacking midfielder.
Lingard, who’s been a revelation at the London Stadium since joining the Hammers on loan in January, has become a primary transfer target for David Moyes this summer.
However, Wright believes that the Red Devils are now considering not letting the player leave as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is willing to offer the England international a second chance.
He wrote, “There are increasing concerns within the club that United have no interest in letting the England ace leave Old Trafford on the back of the impact he has made while on loan.
“We understand there has been no contact at all between the two clubs to discuss a permanent deal, despite the Hammers making it clear they would be willing buyers.
“Though they were happy to let Lingard go out on loan to get regular football after a difficult period affected his form, the levels of his displays with West Ham have confirmed their belief he is still a top-class player.”
Begin negotiations now
Moyes has made it clear that he wants Lingard at the club, and the Englishman is unlikely to have the Man United team play to his strengths.
Given Bruno Fernandes’ performances and the fact that they are looking to sign another midfielder, Lingard is unlikely to break into their playing eleven.
At West Ham, he has everything tailored to his style of play. The reason why he’s named in Gareth Southgate’s provisional squad is that he’s thrived in these last four months in East London under Moyes.
The Scot has brought the best out of Lingard, and while he hasn’t admitted it yet, he knows that Moyes is the right man who will back him unconditionally and help him play at this level for a sustained period of time.
There have also been reports about Man United using Lingard as a sweetener to sign Declan Rice [The Athletic], and we could have our hands tied if that’s the only way we can buy the 28-year-old.
The longer this saga drags on, the chances of us getting our man will keep reducing.
In other West Ham news, Jose Mourinho to hand Hammers blow in quest to sign ‘Elite’ PL ace this summer – report
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