Manchester United playmaker Jesse Lingard is reportedly on the verge of returning to West Ham United on a free transfer.
According to Calciomercato, Manchester United are set to lose out on Jesse Lingard at the end of the season. The English playmaker’s current contract at Old Trafford expires in the summer, with the player unlikely to pen an extension after struggling with a lack of game-time.
The report suggests Lingard is closing in on a move to West Ham United. The east Londoners are expected to sign the Manchester United contract rebel on a free transfer, twelve months following the end of his successful loan spell at the London Stadium.
A product of the Manchester United youth academy, Lingard enjoyed his most fruitful stint under David Moyes. During the second half of the 2020/21 campaign, he was at the London Stadium on a short-term loan deal. Lingard did not disappoint either, scoring nine goals while mustering five assists in 16 league matches.
West Ham were determined to sign Lingard on a permanent deal last summer. But in a bizarre move, the player opted to remain at Old Trafford in order to fight for his place in the Manchester United setup.
The move predictably backfired as the Englishman struggled for prominence under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, falling behind Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba in the pecking order. His situation did not improve under interim coach Ralf Rangnick, with the playmaker totalling just 355 minutes of league action for Manchester United all season.
Lingard is now set for a move away from Manchester United in the summer, following the end of his contract. His situation was unlikely to improve under Erik ten Hag either, especially with the Dutchman fixated on adding more quality to the creative department by signing someone like Antony.
It should pave the way for Lingard to join his former club West Ham United. Despite remaining at Manchester United for a year, the 29-year-old is unlikely to struggle with game-time at the London Stadium, as he would likely become a first-choice playmaker under Moyes.
The Hammers have struggled with a lack of consistency from players such as Pablo Fornals and Nikola Vlasic this season, while Jarrod Bowen has been linked with a move away from the club. The addition of Lingard from Manchester United, therefore, could go a long way in helping Moyes beef up his options in the West Ham creative unit ahead of the new season.
