West Ham want Lingard after deal talks stall
West Ham United will attempt to resign Jesse Lingard in the January transfer window but fear that Manchester United will not sanction a deal because they now regard them as a top-four rival.
Lingard is moving closer to leaving United after talks over a new contract collapsed. It is understood his preference is to make a loan move until the end of the season within the Premier League and then sign a long-term deal elsewhere on a free transfer.
Sources have suggested that the 28-year-old is keen to move abroad and has his eyes on Serie A in Italy. Lingard, who has been at United since he was seven, has also been linked with a switch to Spain’s La Liga.
A motivation for Lingard asking for a move in January would also be to try to force his way back into the
England squad ahead of next year’s World Cup.
West Ham tried to sign Lingard permanently at the end of last season, but received little encouragement from United or the player, despite a successful loan spell in the second half of last season.
He scored nine goals and played a significant role in West Ham finishing sixth, only two points outside the Champions League qualification places. They have since kicked on under David Moyes and are third, six points ahead of United in sixth.
United would obviously be worried that if they allowed Lingard to return to West Ham, he could help the London side finish above them in the table, even though he has been a bit-part player for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season.
Newcastle United are also understood to be keen to sign Lingard, but it remains to be seen whether he would want to join a club in a relegation battle. However, it appears his game time at United will remain limited, especially after talks over a new deal ended.