Darren Ambrose has claimed that Newcastle United transfer target, Jesse Lingard, is ‘perfect’ for West Ham, as he told Sky Sports News.
The former Newcastle player added that he played alongside Lingard when he was a fresh-faced youngster at Birmingham City and he thinks his next potential move could get him back into the England squad.
Lingard will officially leave Manchester United this month when his contract expires and the 29-year-old is set to become a free agent.
During the January transfer window, when Newcastle were looking for players in their survival bid, they were keen on Lingard’s talents and it isn’t a surprise that the interest still remains this summer.
The same for West Ham, who took him on-loan two seasons ago and he helped them to Europa League football, so once again, another move that would be logical for the player.
But whatever the versatile forward does, Ambrose made it clear that this is a ‘really, really important’ step in his career.
“I played with Jesse at Birmingham, he was a great kid at Birmingham and by all accounts, he is a great guy now,” said Ambrose.
“I think his next move is really, really important. I was disappointed he didn’t make the move to West Ham sooner, after his loan spell because he had a fantastic time there.
“But I think that’s a perfect move for Jesse Lingard. If he can find some form, when he was on-loan at West Ham, then there are still a few months to go before the World Cup squad is announced.
“We know Gareth Southgate likes Lingard and the way he can play all over the place. But he has to make a move, it has to be the right move and West Ham is the perfect place for him.”
WHO NEEDS LINGARD MORE WEST HAM OR NEWCASTLE?
Given what Lingard did in East London, it’s understandable that their club and the fans will be more emotionally attached to the player than those at St James’ Park.
Even though the Hammers are in Europe, and in a better place than Newcastle, they still probably need Lingard more because of what he can do, he has worked in their system before and the depth that David Moyes needs ahead of the new season.
Added with that, it’s the Magpies who have the crazy money to spend, as West Ham aren’t exactly known to splash the cash under the ownership of the two Davids.
Either way, this is a big call in Lingard’s career because his next chapter might be the last one fans get to see him at his best because he will be hitting his 30s pretty soon.
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