West Ham United want Jesse Lingard and it seems that Major League Soccer competition may not be enough to keep him away from East London.
The Hammers have already snapped up Alphonse Areola and Nayef Aguerd on permanent deals this summer.
It looks like Swansea City midfielder Flynn Downes may now follow, but David Moyes will be desperate for more attacking firepower and creativity.
Andriy Yarmolenko has gone and Said Benrahma’s future is unclear, so West Ham are looking for attacking midfielders and wingers.
West Ham United want Jesse Lingard
The main target has been Jesse Lingard, who is now a free agent having left Manchester United at the end of his contract last week.
Lingard spent 22 years with United but the time has come for him to leave Old Trafford permanently and settle down elsewhere.
The 29-year-old will be very appealing to many clubs but it looks like West Ham are the favourites.
The Daily Mail reported earlier this week that West Ham are set to win the race for Lingard as he will pick them over Everton.
Lingard enjoyed a superb loan spell at West Ham in 2021, racking up nine goals and four assists in 16 games for the Hammers.
A permanent return to East London makes perfect sense for Lingard but West Ham do face other competition.
There have been suggestions that Lingard has interest from Major Soccer League clubs with a move to the United States seemingly a possibility.
However, ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman has given West Ham a boost.
Twellman has taken to Twitter to claim that LAFC will not get dragged into a bidding war for Lingard, seemingly holding a weaker interest than West Ham as things stand.
Twellman added that Inter Miami can’t made a deal for Lingard work, all of which leaves West Ham as the clear favourites to secure Lingard’s signature.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
