David Moyes’s plans for a reunion with Jesse Lingard at West Ham United have been dealt a potentially fatal blow.
Club president speaks out on West Ham star’s transfer negotiations
According to a report from talkSPORT, West Ham have been showing interest in signing Manchester United outcast Lingard in January.
West Ham boss Moyes is desperate for some more creativity and punch from midfield at the London Stadium.
West Ham lack both pace and strength in depth in several positions.
Moyes wants reunion with Lingard at West Ham – reports
And reports claimed Moyes sees Lingard, 28, as the ideal signing to address those issues.
Lingard has lost his way in last 12 months or so. And he is rarely used by Man United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
But it was not that long ago the 24-capped England international racked up eight goals and six assists in 33 Premier League games for the Red Devils (Transfermarkt).
Lingard was a key figure for Man United for many seasons and it was only recently that his performance levels began to drop. He was a key member of the England national team as well and featured regularly for the Three Lions.
Lingard is out of contract next summer. And his potential signing excited some West Ham fans.
Man United throw spanner in the works of Moyes plan
Especially the prospect of him playing as the link between midfield and attack in their solid unit of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek.
Sky Sports recently claimed Lingard was exploring his options after deciding to leave in the winter window.
But now a new report from The Daily Mail looks to have thrown a spanner in the works of Moyes’s hopes of a West Ham reunion with a player he managed at Man United.
The Mail claims Man United will trigger a one-year extension option on Lingard’s deal to stop him leaving for free – despite the midfielder not seeing a single minute of Premier League action so far this season.
But Lingard move could still be in the offing – report
But the same report suggests Lingard’s future is far from certain and a January move could still very much be in the offing.
“As it stands, the 28-year-old’s current deal expires at the end of the season meaning he can negotiate with overseas clubs from next week with a view to signing a pre-contract agreement for the 2021-22 campaign,” The Mail reports.
“However, the four-year deal that Lingard signed in 2017 included an option for it to be extended for a further 12 months, which United are expected to exercise in the coming days…
“Although he will not be allowed to leave on a free, the midfielder’s long-term future at Old Trafford is still unclear.
“Lingard is attracting plenty of interest from across the Premier League and Europe as he considers his future heading into the January transfer window.”
Club chief confirms West Ham target is on transfer list and will leave in January
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