West Ham first-team coach Stuart Pearce has admitted the club still hope to bring Jesse Lingard back to the London Stadium.
The 28-year-old attacking midfielder has returned to Manchester United following a successful loan spell in east London during the second half of the 2020/21 campaign.
Previously Irons’ boss David Moyes has claimed there was ‘hope’ Lingard may return on a permanent basis.
However, having featured for the Old Trafford club during pre-season, the chances of a return to the Hammers had looked slim.
Speaking to talkSPORT (16/8/21 9:10am), as cited by Louis (West Ham Central) on Twitter, Pearce confirmed the club still ‘want’ to bring the England man back.
Twitter: Stuart Pearce on Jesse Lingard:
“Of course we want Jesse back it’s always been an open secret. We’d love to see hi… https://t.co/6jssPfoiEP (@central_louis)
Lingard scored nine and assisted five other goals in just 16 Premier League appearances for the Hammers last season and helped fire Moyes’ side to Europa League qualification.
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Valued at £19.8million and under contract until 2022 in Manchester (Transfermarkt), previously a fee of £30million has been mooted to land the versatile ace.
Capable of playing in a host of advanced positions, Moyes utilised the Warrington-born man as a false nine and in-behind Michail Antonio at times last term – a role occupied by Said Benrahma against Newcastle United.
Unseen during an opening day 5-1 demolition of Leeds United, West Ham must surely be confident a move could still play out in the final days of the transfer window.
