Manchester United and West Ham are reportedly close to completing a deal for Jesse Lingard in January.
Lingard’s deal with the Red Devils is set to expire at the end of the season, and he will be a free agent after that.
The 29-year-old England international was previously thought to be aiming for a starting spot under Ralf Rangnick. However, Manchester United are looking to cash in this month.
It’s evident that he is no longer part of the team’s future plans since he and some of his teammates have grown frustrated since the management change. There are reports that Lingard is eager to depart, and that his former loan club is ready to make an offer.
Jesse Lingard is moving to West Ham. Photo/Eurosport
In order to avoid losing out on an offensive midfielder during the summer transfer window, the Hammers are reportedly desperate to sign him now while the price is lower.
Since Newcastle United withdrew from consideration, David Moyes now has a direct line to his target.
During his brief stay in east London last season, the Scottish manager developed a strong bond with Lingard.
In the second half of the season, he netted nine goals in 16 appearances, and Moyes made a concerted effort to keep him on a permanent basis.
West Ham, on the other hand, went on to purchase CSKA Moscow offensive midfielder Nikola Vlasic for £25 million instead.
Despite this, there was always the hope that Lingard would join the club and take on the position of a forward, much like Michail Antonio did for the club in his transition.
The fact that Lingard has only started one game since Rangnick’s arrival was critical to the trade. As long as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gave him more chances, he would have been happy with where he is. However, Gareth Southgate’s team has been harmed by his lack of playing time this season.
And with the World Cup just a few months away, he needs to depart to get the minutes he needs.
In addition to the often-overlooked Donny van de Beek, who has struggled for playing time since moving to Old Trafford from the Johan Cruyff Arena in September 2020, Jesse Lingard was also a popular option.
Manchester United loanee Jesse Lingard returned to Old Trafford with just two options for his future: become a significant player for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or return to West Ham United on a permanent basis.
West Ham aim move for Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard. PHOTO: Sports Mole
Solskjaer made it plain he wanted to keep Lingard and vowed that first-team opportunities would be approaching. Lingard’s decision was decided as the 2021/22 season approached:
False hope was offered to Lingard. It was on November 21 that United fired Solskjaer after just nine outings under the Norwegian coach, with eight of those coming as a substitute.
Lingard had reason to be optimistic about the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the arrival of Ralf Rangnick. In the UEFA Champions League dead-rubber contest against Young Boys, the Germans called upon him only once, and that was in the second leg.
Because the value of Lingard’s transfer fee has dropped so dramatically, the club has no choice but to keep an eye on the situation. United would have paid more for him in the summer when interest in him was at its peak.
A reasonable fee for Lingard, who is now in his final six months of his contract, is virtually impossible for the club. He will leave for free in a matter of months. They’ll have to live with the disappointment of a potential financial windfall squandered.
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