Jesse Lingard increasingly likely to re-sign for West Ham United while overnight Yuri Alberto talks held
Jesse Lingard is “looking increasingly likely” to rejoin West Ham United on a short-term contract after impressing in training, according to the Evening Standard.
The newspaper reported (29 August) that the ex-Hammer and current free agent could become West Ham’s latest signing after he spent six months on loan at the London Stadium from Manchester United in 2021.
Elsewhere, technical director Tim Steitden held overnight discussions with Brazilian side Corinthians regarding a move for young striker Yuri Alberto as the club aims to boost their attacking options before deadline day.
Depth, depth, depth
While Lingard is unlikely to walk into West Ham’s stacked midfield if he does rejoin, he adds quality depth to Moyes’ squad that could go a long way to help achieve their ambitions this season.
His loan spell in Stratford redefined Lingard’s career and helped him reemerge as an option for Gareth Southgate in the England senior men’s side.
As per The Sun (4 September 2021), the 30-year-old rejected an offer for a permanent deal at West Ham in favour of fighting for his place at Manchester United. This did not go to plan and Lingard found himself as a free agent before joining Nottingham Forest on a one-year deal.
Now he is once again without a club. Some Hammers fans may still begrudge Lingard for rejecting them two summers ago, but the good memories of Lingard, by now, will trump this. Fans would be happy with the added depth Lingard brings amid their domestic and European expectations this season.
West Ham have been very active in the transfer market for midfielders, with Edson Alvarez, James Ward-Prowse and Mohammed Kudus all new top-quality additions.
Therefore, when making a decision to re-sign Lingard, Moyes and his team must have been comparing his quality to their and the other midfield options at the club. This suggests that Lingard is ready to compete.
Meanwhile, the news of Steitden’s overnight discussions for Alberto shows that the Hammers are not slowing down in the market as the clock quickly ticks down.
While neither deal is not over the line yet, Hammers fans could soon be celebrating their fifth and sixth summer signings.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have moved ahead of Serie A giants AC Milan in their pursuit of a young striker.