Carlton Cole told talkSPORT that Jesse Lingard wouldn’t want to go to West Brom and be in a relegation battle and would instead ‘prefer’ a move to West Ham.
The Daily Mail previously claimed that West Brom have expressed their interest in the Manchester United academy product, whilst BBC Sport report that a loan move to the London Stadium is on the cards.
Given that the Hammers are currently sitting in the Champions League places and those at the Hawthorns are, more than likely, heading towards the Championship, the choice should be pretty easy for Lingard.
Former West Ham hitman Cole stated that the ‘top quality’ Lingard would take David Moyes’ side to the next level if he joined.
“I don’t think he would be looking to go to West Brom and be in a relegation battle, to be honest,” said Cole.
“I think he would prefer to go to somewhere like West Ham where they are looking up. I am never confident until we get to the 40 point mark.
“No matter what anybody says, he’s still a top-quality draw player. He obviously hasn’t had the game time. He could definitely get to the point where he could push West Ham and the players to the next point.”
West Ham have until Monday’s deadline to sort out a potential move for Lingard, and if a loan fee cannot be agreed then West Brom will surely pounce.
At the end of the day, Lingard is in desperate need of some game time after failing to secure a single minute of Premier League football this term.
Whilst European-chasing and surprise packages West Ham is the preferred destination, getting minutes, that hunger and passion back in Lingard’s game is the most important thing, regardless of where it is.
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