Former Aston Villa player Lee Hendrie has been sharing his thoughts on the possibility of the Midlands club making a transfer move for Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard, who is currently on loan at West Ham United.
Speaking exclusively to Transfer Tavern, Hendrie was asked whether or not he thinks that Villa have a realistic shot of signing Lingard this summer after it was recently reported by Football Insider.
In response, Hendrie had this to say on the matter.
He said: “I’d be very surprised if he turned his back on them [West Ham] to be honest. Playing for Manchester United, he’s won trophies, he’s been involved in big international games and he’s a big player.
“So, I think if he had to choose out of the two, I’d be certain it’d be West Ham just for the season he’s had and the boxes he ticks for them.”
Since joining David Moyes’ side on his loan deal from Manchester United back in the previous January transfer window, the 28-year-old, who is currently valued at £13.5 million, has made 11 appearances for the Hammers in the Premier League in which he has managed to score nine goals and provide four assists along the way (per Transfermarkt).
TIF Thoughts on Lee Hendrie’s comments on Lingard…
Given the instant and impressive impact that Lingard has had at the east London club in terms of his goalscoring, it’s understandable why both West Ham and Villa would be interested in signing the Englishman during the upcoming summer transfer window.
In regards to Villa, if they want to and are able to sign Ross Barkley on another loan deal or even sign him on a permanent deal from Chelsea this summer, then a move for Lingard may not be particularly necessary for Dean Smith’s side, in our view.
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In terms of Lingard’s future, we feel that his best option would be to sign to West Ham permanently from the Manchester club, purely based on his performances he’s put in for them in a West Ham shirt since his arrival.
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