West Ham ‘will try’ to make Jesse Lingard‘s stay at the London Stadium a permanent one when the attacking midfielder’s loan deal concludes at the end of the season, according to Dean Jones on the Touchline Talk Podcast (10:20).
Lingard hit the ground running with the Hammers when the 28-year-old introduced himself with a brace against Aston Villa on his debut two weeks ago.
Jones believes that David Moyes and co have already been suitably impressed with the Manchester United loanee and will attempt to reach a permanent agreement this summer. He claimed:
They (West Ham) are definitely considering trying to sign him (Lingard) permanently.
To be honest, they tried to sign him permanent already. The numbers just didn’t add up to exactly how they wanted them. They will try and sign him permanently.
Former West Ham defender Rio Ferdinand has called for the England international to leave the Red Devils for good, suggesting that the midfielder’s future at Old Trafford is all but over.
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After the start Lingard has made to life in east London, it’s difficult to find a compelling argument against making the deal a permanent one in the summer.
Having recently extended his contract for a further year at his parent club, West Ham would be obliged to pay a fee for the 28-year-old, possibly around £13m based on a previously mooted asking price.
Should the Irons qualify for Europe, Moyes will need greater squad depth at his disposal, and starting with a permanent deal for Lingard would be no bad move.
