West Ham United transfer news emerges on Jesse Lingard today – Sky Sports
West Ham United are in no rush to sign Jesse Lingard this summer, despite the midfielder continuing to train with the Hammers, according to Sky Sports.
Sky reported on their Transfer Centre Live blog on Monday (28 August, 10:18) that Lingard is still training with the Irons in a bid to maintain his fitness levels and the Hammers are still considering signing him on a short-term deal in the future.
However, there is no rush required for David Moyes’ side as the England international was released by Nottingham Forest at the end of last season and therefore can be signed after the transfer window closes on 1 September as a free-agent.
Lingard spent the second half of the 2020-21 season on loan with West Ham and looked likely to join them permanently last summer as he left Manchester United, but opted to join Forest instead where he struggled to make an impact.
Too late?
West Ham in the past two summer windows have been incredibly interested in securing the services of Lingard permanently and now that it seems completely possible, you have to question whether they need him.
Lucas Paqueta has been joined by Mohammed Kudus in attacking midfield while Jarrod Bowen occupies one of the wide roles every week with Said Benhrama and Pablo Fornals also in contention for starting positions at the London Stadium.
If this was the Lingard who scored nine goals and registered five assists in 16 matches when he was last in East London it would be a no-brainer for the Hammers to offer him a short-term deal, but there has been little to suggest he is capable of rediscovering that form.
Last season at the City Ground, the 30-year-old failed to score in the Premier League and only managed 17 appearances. If West Ham do opt to sign him for the upcoming season, it will be in little more than a supporting role with Moyes and those in charge crossing their fingers in the hope of him finding that goal-scoring touch once more.
In other West Ham news, there are three clubs interested in signing one out-of-favour Hammers defender