Hammers’ Lingard move

WEST HAM are ready to make their £25million permanent signing of Said Benrahma early to clear the way for a loan move for Jesse Lingard, as David Moyes bids to keep them in the hunt for Europe.

Manchester United have told Lingard (right) he can leave this month and Moyes is interested in taking the England midfielder until the end of the season.

Premier League clubs are only allowed two domestic loan players in their squad and West Ham have already borrowed Benrahma from Brentford and Craig Dawson from Watford.

West Ham have an agreement with Brentford to sign Benrahma for £20m, plus £5m in add-ons, at the end of the season, but they plan to bring that forward to enable them to sign Lingard. Moyes knows Lingard from his time at United and the 28-year-old, who has made just three appearances this season, needs to reignite his career.

West Ham are also keen to sign a striker after selling Sebastien Haller to Ajax for £20m. They have shown an interest in Bournemouth’s Joshua King and Reims forward Boulaye Dia, while RB Leipzig’s Hwang Hee-chan is also among their possible targets.

Moyes wants two players this month in a bid to ensure their good work in the first half of the season is not scuppered by a lack of depth.

West Ham can move into the Champions League places if they beat Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park tonight and Moyes said: “I want us to remain in a strong position if we can.

“If I can get another player in then great, another two even better. I want us to stay competing.”