Stuart Pearce: West Ham want Jesse Lingard back
West Ham would love to have Jesse Lingard back at the London Stadium for the new season, according to Stuart Pearce.
The Manchester United attacking midfielder spent the latter half of last season on loan with the Hammers, playing a crucial role to help them finish in the top-six.
West Ham boss David Moyes wants the 28-year-old England international back on a permanent basis, but the Red Devils do not appear keen on a deal.
Hammers first-team coach Pearce has admitted that the club are still hoping to get their hands on Lingard, but Manchester United have the final say.
“We’d like for him to come and join us, and that’s been an open secret,” Pearce said on talkSPORT, as shared on their official Twitter account.
“He was wonderful last year, but the ball is Manchester United’s court, he’s contracted with them.
“We’d like him with us, there is no doubt about that. He’s a special lad, he was very good around the players, the players really like him & his ability shone out last year, and he is a great option within our squad.
“You never know, but at this moment in time, it looks like though he’s vying for a place in the Manchester United’s line-up.”
Move still on the cards?
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted that he has plans for the attacker this season, but that changes nothing.
The player missed his side’s opening game of the new Premier League season having recently been in isolation for testing positive for coronavirus.
They secured a 5-1 victory over Leeds United and it is safe to say he was not missed.
The Irons also secured a 4-2 win over Newcastle United, but we definitely could do with his ability in that team.
Lingard is guaranteed a place in the starting line-up if he returns, but it appears he wants to fight for his place at Old Trafford.
That is not necessarily a bad thing, but he needs to be realistic.
Bruno Fernandes kept him out of the squad last season and he has continued his stellar form, bagging a hat-trick at the weekend.
Jadon Sancho has been signed too, and we do not see Lingard playing ahead of him either.
Joining West Ham is the sensible thing to do, and we are keen to see if he will change his mind within the next fortnight.
In other West Ham news, Hammers has been offered the chance to sign contract rebel midfielder.
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