Hammers are chasing Toon target
WEST Ham United are set to renew their interest in Newcastle United target Jesse Lingard, who is out of contract this summer.
The Magpies were strongly linked with a loan move in January for the England international, only for talks to break down towards the end of the winter window.
It would have made sense for Newcastle to pursue Lingard this summer too.
He would be a quality attacking addition to what is a promising Premier League outift.
However, it has been reported West Ham are chasing Lingard’s signature, where he spent the second half of the 2020/21 campaign on loan.
Revived under David Moyes, the 29-year-old bagged nine goals in 16 games at the London Stadium last season, proving his class and quality despite a lack of minutes at Old Trafford.
Moyes was reportedly desperate to sign Lingard last summer but a fee could not be agreed with Manchester United who will now lose him on a free in the summer.
Lingard has barely featured for the Red Devils this season, making just two starts in the Premier League.
In their recent game against Brentford, he was an unused substitute - which prompted the ire of his own brother.
Farewells were given to Manchester United players Nemanja Matic, Edinson Cavani and Juan Mata but not to Lingard, who has spent his entire career at Old Trafford.
Posting on his Instagram story, Lingard’s brother Louie Scott said: “20 years of blood sweat and tears, four domestic trophies, three cup final goals, not even a farewell. No wonder it is Conference League next year.”
Should Newcastle pursue Lingard this summer, they would be getting a ready-made Premier League starter who could contribute from day one.
They will, however, face stiff competition from West Ham as well as Juventus and Barcelona.