A West Ham board source has lifted the lid on a surprise striker twist to the Jesse Lingard deal which will boost Everton hopes.
There has been much speculation about whether West Ham will or won’t hand Jesse Lingard a short-term deal and last week Everton entered the running.
According to a report from 90 Min, Lingard is now wanted by Everton – where he would have a much better chance of regular game time.
Talk has also been rife that Wolves and Turkish clubs have been rivalling the Hammers for the 30-year-old midfielder.
Turkish giants Besiktas were also linked with Lingard last week, as reported by A Spor.
Still no Hammers deal for Lingard nearly one month after he starting training with the club
Given Lingard has now been training with West Ham for close to a month, joining Everton – or any other club at this stage – would be a real kick in the teeth.
Especially after David Moyes spoke in glowing terms when confirming Lingard continues to train with West Ham last week. Notably the Scot was full of praise for the midfielder and his fitness levels.
Some West Ham fans are puzzled as to why Lingard has not signed a deal by now, even though he can still join despite the passing of the Premier League squad deadline last Wednesday.
A source close to the West Ham board recently revealed the lengths the club are going to in order to prime Lingard to sign for them.
Everton entering the equation, as they announced their takeover by Miami-based 777, has planted a seed of doubt in the minds of some Hammers supporters after he snubbed them for Forest last year.
West Ham board source lifts lid on surprise striker twist to Jesse Lingard deal which will boost Everton hopes
The Toffees, like West Ham, do have a space in their squad to register a free agent with Premier League permission.
And Sean Dyche desperately needs a player of Lingard’s ilk after Everton lost both Demarai Gray and Alex Iwobi.
Lingard appeared to drop a big hint over his West Ham future with a social media post after the Everton links last week.
But now a West Ham board source has lifted the lid on a surprise striker twist to Lingard deal which will boost Everton hopes.
Sean Whetstone counts West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady and co-owner David Sullivan among his contacts.
Lingard signing for West Ham increasingly unlikely in big boost for Everton – unless Moyes wants him as a striker
And he now claims a West Ham deal for Lingard is increasingly unlikely UNLESS Moyes signs him to be used as a striker.
West Ham failed to sign a replacement for Gianluca Scamacca when he was sold to Atalanta.
And Lingard has operated as a second striker in the past, including during his loan spell with West Ham.
The claim will give Everton major hope they may now be able to bring Lingard in knowing they can offer him game time in a number of positions, with competition fierce at West Ham.
“The chance of signing Jesse Lingard on a free is diminishing with a number of players in the squad claiming his position ahead of him,” Whetstone said overnight.
“The final decision will be down to the manager but unless Moyes plans to convert him into a striker he could be surplus to requirements in the current squad and struggle to get game time if signed.”
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