Stuart Pearce reveals West Ham will try to sign Jesse Lingard this month
Stuart Pearce has told talkSPORT that West Ham will continue to try and sign Jesse Lingard this month, but says the final decision lies with the player and his club.
Lingard has been linked with a move back to the London Stadium ever since his successful six-month loan in the second half of last season, where he scored nine goals to help the team qualify for the Europa League.
But while West Ham’s interest is well documented, the player has remained at Manchester United and is now in the final six months of his contract and looking to leave again after minimal playing time.
Assistant coach Pearce was talking live-on-air on talkSPORT when asked about Lingard, when he admitted the club ‘will probably continue’ to try and sign him this month.
“There’s no doubt that I think, out there at this moment in time, that Jesse is a commodity that isn’t playing for his football club that would be of a benefit to a lot of clubs in the Premier League. That would be my personal opinion.
“Ours [West Ham] is certainly one of them. There’s no doubt. Everyone’s aware that we tried to get Jesse back again last summer, you know, and that will continue probably in this window as well.
“But it’s down to Jesse. Jesse’s got six months left on his contract and he’ll decide, and Manchester United more importantly will decide what his future is for the next six months.”
“I’ll be delighted if he goes and plays. Wherever he goes and plays. If he turns up at West Ham in the next three or four days, it’ll be utopia. If he goes and plays anywhere else in the Premier League, I’ll still be pleased to see him back playing.”
Inevitable
It’s not surprise to see Pearce say West Ham are interested in signing Lingard and that they will try again this month, but a move doesn’t look as likely as it once did.
It seems inevitable that he will leave Manchester United before next season, but whether that’s this month or in the summer is unclear as of now.
Newcastle are also in the hunt for him and have reportedly offered significant amounts to both United and the player, but West Ham know they can offer Lingard a home in the long-term too and he would love it.
Described as ‘top level‘ during his previous stint at the club, the environment is perfect for him and the ambition of the player and club match.
A deal is there to be done but West Ham can only do so much, so you shouldn’t hold your breath too much about a deal happening.
In other West Ham news, ‘Well deserved’ – Stuart Pearce compares West Ham ace to Man United legend