West Ham may have a fight on their hands to sign Jesse Lingard from Manchester United, as reports suggest Arsenal have revived their interest in the 28-year-old.
Lingard has been exceptional since he started loaning Irons in January and his parent club has felt the chance to make money. His form under David Moyes has motivated United’s decision to trigger a one-year contract extension in December and they are now ordering £ 30m for his signature.
West Ham are prepared to do whatever it takes to land him permanently. His six goals and four assists have kicked them in Champions League battle, and Moyes sees him as an integral part of the team going forward.
Lingard to West Ham must go down as the best loan deal in Premier League history! ? pic.twitter.com/3PPSPFfh65
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) April 5, 2021
With the player seemingly happy where he is, West Ham are the clear favorites to sign him when the transfer window opens, but it may not be as easy as it seems. There is interest from elsewhere in Lingard, and The Star says that Arsenal are planning to “cut” the move.
The Gunners were keen on Lingard in January – they asked to take him on loan, but United decided not to send him to a team they saw as a direct rival. They did not know then that West Ham would be ten points from Mikel Arteta’s team in April.
Arsenal instead signed Martin Odegaard on loan from Real Madrid, but without any guarantees that he will return next season, they are looking for a new number ten. And that has apparently taken them back to Lingard, which they see as a more viable option than ever thanks to his impressive form.
Since his # PL debut for @WestHam in February, no player has been involved in more goals in the competition than Jesse Lingard (9 – 6 goals, 3 assists) #WHULIV pic.twitter.com/o90Siw4MFF
– Premier League (@premierleague) April 11, 2021
News of interest from north London should not really come as a surprise, but if reports of United’s £ 30 million asking price are to be taken at face value, a move seems unlikely.
Lingard has impressed at London Stadium, but it is a steep price tag for a 28-year-old with one year left on his deal. Especially one who recently went 18 months without a goal or assist in the Premier League.
They do not exactly swim in cash at Emirates, so if they invest, it seems more likely to be in a long-term asset like RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku. However, their first preference is to bring Odegaard back to the club next season.
