WEST HAM are “close” to signing soon-to-be free agent Jesse Lingard, according to reports.
The 29-year-old will leave boyhood club Manchester United at the end of this month, where he has spent 22 years.
And according to the Daily Mail, West Ham are leading the race for the England international’s signature.
David Moyes‘ side are going back with a new offer for freebie Lingard.
West Ham have been itching to bring Lingard back to the London Stadium ever since his glittering loan spell in the second half of the 2020-21 season.
Lingard scored nine goals and provide five assists in just 16 games.
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He helped the Hammers secure a sixth-placed finish, booking a spot in the Europa League.
His form earned him a recall to Gareth Southgate’s England squad just before Euro 2020 – but he failed to make the final squad.
West Ham tried to re-sign Lingard in the summer and tried again last January.
But Man Utd held onto Lingard despite the player playing just 548 minutes across the whole season.
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Lingard joined United’s academy aged seven and rose through the ranks at Old Trafford.
He helped the Red Devils win the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and the Europa League during his time in the first-team.
Lingard may not be the only familiar face Moyes brings back to the London Stadium this summer.
Last season’s cup and Europa League goalkeeper Alphonse Areola is poised to re-join the club but this time on a permanent transfer.
The Hammers will pay parent club Paris Saint-Germain just £10.5million.
Moyes also wants Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse and Chelsea’s Armando Broja.
But those deals may be beyond West Ham financially with both players having huge asking prices.
