West Ham have found themselves in pole position to secure the signing of Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard after Sheffield United pulled out of the race, according to Football Insider.
David Moyes could now be set to link up once more with the 28-year-old after the former England regular was given the green light to find a loan move for the remainder of the season.
After plenty of unrest over his future at Old Trafford, this week Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly agreed to let Lingard leave the club after not using the midfielder in a single Premier League match this term.
The Hammers were among a host of suitors for the 28-year-old, with the Premier League’s bottom club Sheffield United the previous favourites to sign the 24-cap England international. However, Football Insider claimed that the Blades have now pulled out of the running.
Despite not being a regular at Old Trafford for some time under Solskjaer, Lingard maintains a market value of £9m according to Transfermarkt.
READ WEST HAM VERDICT
Signing Lingard for the remainder of the season without an obligation to buy in the summer would be a deal with zero risks attached for the Irons – any other structure of a deal would be ill-advised given his dearth of football in recent months.
The midfielder was at once a potent Premier League player, but the last 18 months have seen a dramatic fall from grace for him.
Moyes’ pre-established relationship with Lingard could inspire a return to former glories as the West Ham manager looks to further bolster the Premier League quality within his squad.
