Jesse Lingard offered to Besiktas as West Ham United expected to make transfer decision
Free agent Jesse Lingard was offered by his management to Besiktas despite training with West Ham United throughout the summer, according to Sabah Spor.
The online Turkish outlet took to its official Twitter account on 8 September to share that the Turkish giants rejected the opportunity to a large extent because their foreign quota in the squad is currently full.
The 30-year-old left Nottingham Forest at the end of his contract at the end of last season, and has since been training with the Hammers, with a short-term contract at his former club potentially on the cards [Sky Sports, 14 August].
Daily Mail journalist Simon Jones wrote on 4 September that the Hammers were set to offer a short-term incentivised deal to the former Manchester United and Nottingham Forest star during the international break.
The England international played 70 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Championship club Ipswich Town in a behind-closed-doors friendly on 7 September as West Ham United weigh up a move to sign him.
Awaiting decision
The Ipswich friendly will have certainly handed Lingard the opportunity to prove why he deserves to be handed a deal at the club after he is believed to have impressed in training in recent weeks.
Moyes is keen to add to his attacking options having failed to sign a striker before the end of the transfer window and the England international seems the perfect free option to bolster their ranks again after his previous success.
The England international certainly endured a tough spell in the Midlands, failing to prove why Nottingham Forest paid him the big bucks to make him their marquee 2022 summer acquisition.
He had a superb spell in East London, as his nine goals and five assists in 16 appearances helped the club qualify for a place in the Europa League and should he join the Hammers in the coming days, the East Londoners will be hoping they can get Lingard to hit those heights again.
Lingard had been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia over the past week or so, but after the country’s transfer deadline passed on Thursday, it appears as though he rejected any interest from the Middle East.
With Besiktas now rejecting the opportunity, West Ham United now seemingly have a clear run at signing him and Lingard will eagerly be awaiting their decision.
In other West Ham news, an update has been provided on one star’s fitness following an injury concern.