On the latest edition of The Athletic Football Podcast, West Ham United correspondent Roshane Thomas has been discussing the potential of Jesse Lingard re-joining the Hammers.
The 28-year-old spent the second half of the 2020/21 campaign out on loan at the London Stadium from Manchester United and has decided to continue his career with the Red Devils.
Will West Ham sign Lingard in January?
Yes
No
Despite a summer of speculation linking him with a potential return to the Hammers, Lingard has remained at Old Trafford, where he has made three appearances in the Premier League this season (via Transfermarkt).
Lingard featured on the weekend against David Moyes’ side for the Red Devils and provided United with a late winner against the Hammers.
Discussing whether he can see the midfielder’s future remaining in Manchester, Thomas had the following to say on a potential return to the London Stadium, with his Man Utd contract running out in the summer.
“I personally believe he’ll re-sign. He could play the patient game or wait until January, but when you think of someone like Lingard even last season, he’s got a young daughter, and there were times last season when Moyes gave him extra time to go back to Manchester to spend time with family.
“So that’s also going to factor in his position. So listen, it was great to have him playing for West Ham, he got back into the England squad. But I think now Lingard is looking to stay at Manchester United and keep playing in their team.”
TIF Thoughts on Lingard’s future…
Although Lingard scored the winner on the weekend for Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s side, we are still concerned by his lack of game time for the Red Devils.
Across the opening five games of the new 2021/22 Premier League campaign, Lingard has been on the pitch for a combined 45 minutes of football (via Transfermakrt).
The arrivals of Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo may well have provided Lingard with a more difficult route into the side and it seems he is already finding himself as a squad player at best.
Reports suggested West Ham were hoping to bring Lingard back during the summer and with less than one year remaining on his current deal, could the Hammers offer Lingard with another chance to depart Old Trafford in January?
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