Declan Rice has sent West Ham United summer transfer target Jesse Lingard a motivational message on his latest Instagram post.
The Hammers decided against improving their squad in January, despite knowing they would be fighting on at least two fronts in the form of the Premier League and Europa League, which came back to haunt them finishing outside of the top six and also failing to win any silverware.
However, it appears that they are wanting to make amends for that and get their business done early this window with the Hammers expected to sign Alphonse Areola on a permanent basis, while they have also made an approach to sign former on-loan ace Lingard.
David Moyes took a chance on Lingard in January 2021 and he fully repaid him with nine goals and five assists in just 16 appearances and it appears that it’s not just the Hammers that want him to join as Rice, who stepped up as West Ham captain this season, still has a good relationship with Lingard and has sent a message of motivation on Instagram ‘Hate is a waste of emotion!’
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This simple message will likely excite West Ham fans as it shows the close connection the pair of them have off the pitch and with Rice sending words of encouragement, it could well be seen as a way that he knows something others don’t and wants Lingard to be in the best state possible for the season coming up.
Lingard was a huge hit at the London Stadium and was a huge reason behind their surge into the Europa League, so now that he will be available to pick up on a free transfer and Newcastle United, who were interested in January said to have ditched the thought of signing Lingard, the Hammers could well bring him back to somewhere he’ll be appreciated.