Dharmesh Sheth shares new twist for West Ham United return for Jesse Lingard after what he heard
West Ham are looking into the possibility of offering midfielder Jesse Lingard a short-term deal, according to Dharmesh Sheth.
The Sky Sports journalist reported on 16 August that the England international has been training with the Hammers over the past week to keep his fitness up after being released by Nottingham Forest at the end of last season.
But he said that the Irons are assessing the possibility of bringing the 30-year-old back to the London Stadium after previously undertaking a successful loan with the club in 2021.
“I’m told that the club are assessing the possibility of a short-term deal,” he said. “It hasn’t gone any further than that as far as I’m aware and he’s just keeping his fitness up.
“But if he’s in the building and he’s impressing, you know you catch a few people’s eyes and maybe they will decide ‘you know what, we could use you’.”
Reservations
There will be reservations on West Ham’s part about offering Lingard a deal after what has gone on regarding his situation over the past couple of years.
After joining the Hammers on loan in January 2021, the midfielder stole the fans’ hearts when he helped the club qualify for the Europa League after scoring nine goals and laying on five assists in 16 appearances.
But he quickly tarnished that relationship by turning the East Londoners down in favour of staying at Manchester United, where he scored the winning goal at the London Stadium for the Red Devils in September 2021.
His appearances were again restricted at Old Trafford, though, and he looked likely to be heading to the Irons again last summer before accepting a one-year deal to sign for Nottingham Forest.
After a miserable campaign at the City Ground, the Hammers should be cautious about offering him a deal as he’s rejected the club on two occasions and could well be on the decline.
In other West Ham news, a pundit has urged one player to make the move to the London Stadium.