David Moyes appears to have identified his Jesse Lingard alternative as West Ham United are linked with a hugely exciting move for Lille playmaker Jonathan Bamba.
Moyes was desperate to bring Lingard to West Ham on a permanent basis this summer after his sensational loan spell last season.
But the Scot admitted in his latest press conference that the ball is firmly in Manchester United’s court. With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer once again insisting he wants Lingard to stay at Old Trafford, that move is looking increasingly unlikely.
Moyes eyeing Lingard alternative as report claims West Ham are making move for Bamba
And it appears Moyes is moving on to other targets after West Ham were linked with a move for electric 25-year-old Bamba, who plays in similar positions to Lingard.
Bamba has pace and trickery to burn. In fact in terms of skills this guy gives Said Benrahma a run for his money.
So West Ham could be even more exciting to watch soon after a report from Get French Football News quoting French journalist Fabrice Hawkins claimed the Hammers are one of three clubs interested in Bamba.
Audaciously talented attacker would give Benrahma a run for his money in the skills department
“Jonathan Bamba could leave Lille by the end of the transfer window,” Hawkins claimed on Twitter.
“Three clubs are interested and are closely monitoring his situation. Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen and West Ham.”
L’Équipe – as also reported by Get French Football News – claimed earlier this month that Bamba was among the Lille players on the market, as the club looks to recover from financial difficulties.
The former France youth international has been with Lille since 2018, and notably contributed to the club’s Ligue 1 title win last season under Christophe Galtier, beating PSG to the trophy by a single point.
Exciting move just what West Ham fans want to hear as Moyes leans towards playmaker with ability to operate as second striker
West Ham fans will be incredibly excited if they take a look at Bamba’s highlights reel on YouTube.
But his stats are decent too with six goals and nine assists in 30 starts last season and an excellent average match rating of 7.07 (WhoScored).
It is becoming increasingly clear that Moyes may be leaning more towards signing a midfield playmaker/winger who he can mould into a forward or use as a second striker – like he did with Lingard last season.
If West Ham get Bamba, they promise to be one hell of a watch this season.
In other news, Rice ‘happy and committed’ at West Ham after new contract threat.
And Palace could leave Moyes frustrated again by beating Hammers to striker.