Opinion: Alleged £30m Leeds signing could play key role in Lingard / West Ham saga

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West Ham United’s hopes of signing Jesse Lingard could be affected by Leeds allegedly closing in on a £30 million deal (The Sun) to sign Manchester United ace Dan James.

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Leeds have been chasing James for quite some time, and it seems as though Marcelo Bielsa is finally set to get his man.

Claret and Hugh claimed yesterday that Hammers boss David Moyes is keen to bring the 28-year-old back to the London Stadium before deadline day.

There is a real concern that Jesse could choose to stay at Old Trafford due to family commitments, however (ExWHUemployee).

Much will depend on how much he actually wants regular first-team football.

Dan James started two of Manchester United’s first three Premier League games. Lingard, meanwhile, has had to make do with just five minutes of action.

With Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho having joined Man United and Marcus Rashford set to return to action soon, Lingard will surely know that his chances of regular gamine-time are next to nil this season.

Especially considering the fact that James has been starting ahead of him.

If the 23-year-old does leave to join Leeds today, however, perhaps Jesse will be given renewed hope that he could feature for the Red Devils this season.

Jesse Lingard West move looking unlikely

With Ronaldo, Sancho, Rashford, Greenwood AND James ahead of the 28-year-old in the pecking order, it would have been nigh on impossible for him to get any minutes.

With James allegedly set to join Leeds, however, Lingard may well think that he at least has a glimmer of hope.

David Moyes is clearly desperate to get a deal for Lingard done.

Things aren’t looking good for the Hammers at the moment. A lot can change on deadline day of course.

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But James’s impending move to Leeds may well be the final nail in the coffin for West Ham’s hopes of bringing Jesse back to East London.