Jesse Lingard is likely to join West Ham on a free transfer. However, the Hammers will first look for a new striker.
Lingard left Nottingham Forest at the end of last season after failing to make an impression in his only season at the City Ground. He is yet to find a new club, but he has been training with West Ham in recent weeks.
The midfielder previously played for the Hammers in the 2020/2021 season, spending the second half of that season on loan from Manchester United at the London Stadium. He returned to Old Trafford to compete for a position with the Red Devils, but that did not happen.
Instead, he departed Old Trafford last summer, but instead of returning to West Ham, as many expected, he chose Nottingham Forest as his next club. That turned out to be a mistake, as the former England international was released.
Former manager David Moyes, however, may offer him a way back into the game, with the Evening Standard suggesting that it is ‘increasingly probable’ Lingard will be offered a short-term contract.
Jesse Lingard to make his return to the Hammers?
The midfielder is claimed to have impressed during his workouts with the Hammers. However, because he is a free agent, the transfer does not have to be went through before Friday. Instead, the Premier League club will prioritize the acquisition of a new striker.
After Danny Ings failed to impress, technical director Tim Steitden flew to Brazil to finalize a deal for Corinthians wonderkid Yuri Alberto. Lingard stated after leaving Forest that he had achieved his ambition for the club.
“Thank you to everyone, from the fans to the coaching staff and, of course, the players.” It’s been a wild ride, but we persevered through thick and thin to reach our objective. It’s been an honor,” he wrote on Instagram.
Lingard will join one of the early Premier League pacesetters if his deal to West Ham goes through as planned. After overcoming Brighton on Saturday, David Moyes‘ men sit second, two points behind champions Manchester City.
“I had no idea we were league champions!” Someone in the dressing room just told me, and it’s a fantastic sensation right now.
“What’s more important is that we came to Brighton and won,” Moyes stated.
“We’ve had some dark days here.”
“We ended up in the UEFA Europa Conference League that year, which may have been a good thing in the end.”
“So we’ve had some disappointing days here, and the fans are always nervous about watching the game here.” It’s fantastic to put those days behind us and give the supporters this triumph. The players are doing an excellent job, and their approach to their task is superb.”
