West Ham United transfer news as Jesse Lingard holds talks with DC United
Jesse Lingard, who has been training with West Ham in an attempt to secure a move to the London Stadium, has now held talks with DC United over a move to the MLS, according to the Washington Post.
The U.S. newspaper shared via their website on 2 September that DC United, the side managed by Lingard’s former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney, held talks over a possible deal for the player.
It was reported that Lingard was seeking a long-term deal, having spent part of the summer training with David Beckham’s Inter Miami, but talks broke down and he has since been training at Rush Green.
The newspaper also shared that Rooney has claimed the club will not do any deals for free agents in the coming weeks due to salary cap issues at the club, suggesting Lingard may have been demanding a higher fee than the club would be able to pay.
Whether the former England international’s wage and contract length demands would be repeated in discussions with West Ham is unknown, but the Hammers are believed to favour a short-term deal should they opt to offer Lingard a contract.
Concerns have been raised at West Ham surrounding Lingard’s fitness, despite spending pre-season training at Rush Green to stay fit and find a contract following his release from Nottingham Forest.
With his future still up in the air, another factor that may influence the club’s decision is the potential for a negative fan reaction, with a sour taste being left in the mouths of many fans who disapprove of the way Lingard departed the club during his last spell.
Having spent the latter half of the 2020/21 season at the London Stadium, Lingard impressed by scoring nine goals and getting five assists. He was offered the chance to return to West Ham permanently that summer but opted to join Nottingham Forest instead – with the midlands club offering him a higher wage packet.
West Ham are taking their time on this decision, with a number of factors influencing their ultimate decision, but it should now be just a matter of time until a call is made.
They may need to move quickly if they want to sign Lingard as interest grows.
In other West Ham news, a Sky Sports pundit was left baffled as Liverpool avoid deal for West Ham star.