David Moyes has a back-up plan if West Ham United cannot sign Jesse Lingard on a permanent basis.
Worrying new manager twist for West Ham as Moyes contract silence continues
And it appears to be Sassuolo’s attacking midfielder Filip Duricic.
That’s according to a claim from respected Italian football journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.
Moyes priorities clear but Lingard arrival uncertain
Moyes has four very clear priorities at West Ham this summer.
The Scot wants to sign at least one new striker, Lingard, defensive central midfield back-up and a centre-back.
But as things stand Lingard’s future is uncertain while West Ham wait to discover if Manchester United will do a deal for the 28-year-old who shone on loan with the Hammers.
So it appears Moyes is lining up potential alternatives as Di Marzio claims West Ham are battling with Durcic’s former club Southampton to bring him back to the Premier League.
Hammers eyeing Serbian as Lingard alternative after Italian journalist’s claim?
Di Marzio says offers have already been submitted for the 29-year-old.
Duricic is most often played in the number 10 role – where West Ham deployed Lingard during his loan spell.
But the Serbian international can also operate out wide too.
He scored five goals and registered four assists in 32 Serie A games for Sassuolo last season (Transfermarkt).
The playmaker is technically gifted. But he only makes sense as a signing for West Ham as an alternative to Lingard given Moyes’s need for signings in those four priority areas.
Lingard has better pedigree as Pearce raves about loan star
Lingard has a far better pedigree, though.
And West Ham fans will be hoping Moyes can get a deal done for him this summer.
Yesterday Hammers assistant boss Stuart Pearce hailed Lingard on talkSPORT. He said the midfielder and West Ham were a perfect fit.
And talkSPORT later claimed West Ham were hopeful of getting a deal done with Man United.