West Ham should not pursue a deal for free agent Jesse Lingard
Manchester United officially announced on Wednesday [1 June] that West Ham target Jesse Lingard is to leave the club at the end of June.
The 29-year-old enjoyed a wonderful loan spell at the London Stadium in the 2020-21 season scoring nine goals in the second half of the season.
However, the Hammers should stay well clear of any potential move for the attacking midfielder.
Just because Lingard is a free agent doesn’t mean he is good value for David Moyes to pursue.
If anything, the 29-year-old will most likely use the fact he is a free agent as a way of pursuing a higher weekly wage out of the Irons.
ExWHUemployee has suggested that Lingard was demanding in excess of £150,000 a week at the London Stadium.
The soon to be free agent may have forgotten that he has bench warmer for the majority of the season and had one good half a season for the Irons.
What is concerning is the fact that he is now a free agent and the temptation for the Irons to snap up a player who was adored by their fans.
From a footballing and business perspective, a move for Lingard makes absolutely no sense.
He is nearing 30 and coming into the twilight of his career.
Moyes has unearthed plenty of unknown talents in the past and the money involved in Lingard’s wages could be invested elsewhere.
West Ham fans should be wanting players who want to play for their club, not players who are trying to money grab every last penny from their wage budget.
If reports are to be believed, Lingard’s actions would’ve hardly made himself popular with the Hammers faithful.
Time to leave the 29-year-old’s half a season behind and look to players on the way up.
In other West Ham news, Stuart Pearce was emotional as he described his parting message to one Irons star on his final day at the club.
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