Many West Ham fans were composed and unfussed by transfer rumours linking the on-loan Jesse Lingard with a return to Leicester.
The 28-year-old Manchester United academy product has been in fine form for the Hammers, with three goals and an assist in just four games since joining on loan from Old Trafford three weeks ago.
That form, combined with him being out of contract next summer, means the Irons may not be the only party interested in procuring the experienced engine’s services. According to Eurosport, Premier League rivals Leicester City could challenge the Hammers for Lingard’s services in the summer.
Both teams are front-and-centre in their respective charges to disrupt the traditional top six, securing Champions League football in the process.
Lingard endured a lacklustre loan spell at the King Power Stadium in 2012, in which he made just five senior appearances and failed to score or set up a goal in that time (Transfermarkt)
Conversely, his stint at the London Stadium has been a transformative and highly productive move in which Lingard has enjoyed an average of one direct goal involvement in every game he has played thus far. If that form continues, TEAMtalk speculated that a permanent deal would make perfect sense to West Ham.
Leicester City are interested in signing Jesse Lingard and will monitor his situation for the rest of the season ahead of a potential bid. [@DeanJonesBR]
— West Ham (C)entral 🏆 (@WestHam_Central) February 23, 2021
After news of the potential competition from Leicester emerged, a myriad of West Ham fan reactions emerged on Twitter in response to the news being shared by @WestHam_Central, with many unfazed by the rumours…
Twitter: @WestHam_Central @DeanJonesBR Lingard would rather sign here permanently then go to Leicester. Highly unlikely (@updates_ham)
Twitter: @WestHam_Central @DeanJonesBR Cant see it happening, swear they always get linked with him, surely he would rather come to us (@Westham_Centre)
Twitter: @WestHam_Central @DeanJonesBR Obviously worrying at first but clearly United just trying to drive the media into cr… https://t.co/eh9iGt9bsd (@JBsOpinions)
Twitter: @WestHam_Central @DeanJonesBR For him I thinks it’s about playing, it will come down to who can guarantee him that,… https://t.co/bwmN1zNRBB (@benjury75)
Twitter: @WestHam_Central @DeanJonesBR They literally have harvey barnes and james maddison why do they want jlingz (@SoucekTheGoat)
Twitter: @WestHam_Central @DeanJonesBR Why would he go there, there is literally no point (@_ollybrett)
