Jesse Lingard, the free agent who has been without a club since his Nottingham Forest deal expired at the end of last season, is back training at West Ham to keep his fitness up. There is also a chance that Lingard could be offered a short-term contract by the club.
Lingard, who is now 30 years old, previously had a loan spell at West Ham in 2021 and impressed during his time at the London Stadium. He joined the club in January from Manchester United and rediscovered his best form under the guidance of manager David Moyes.
According to Sky Sports, Lingard has returned to West Ham for training, indicating that he is eager to maintain his fitness and potentially secure a contract with the club. The attacking midfielder played a crucial role in helping West Ham finish sixth in the Premier League, scoring nine goals and providing five assists in just 16 matches. His outstanding performances earned him a place back in the England squad.
Moyes was keen to keep Lingard at West Ham beyond his loan spell, but the two parties could not reach an agreement. Lingard subsequently returned to Manchester United for another season before becoming a free agent.
This is not the first time that West Ham has shown interest in signing Lingard. The club attempted to secure his services before Nottingham Forest signed him last summer. However, Lingard’s time at Forest was underwhelming, as he only managed to score two goals in 20 appearances.
During his career, Lingard made 232 appearances for Manchester United and achieved success with his boyhood team, winning the FA Cup, League Cup, and Europa League. Despite his achievements, Lingard has not received any contract offers from clubs this summer. He has previously expressed openness to joining a Saudi Arabian club but has yet to receive any offers from such teams.
Lingard’s return to West Ham for training suggests that he is determined to continue playing at a high level. The club’s familiarity with him and his previous success under Moyes make it a potential destination for the free agent. A short-term contract with West Ham could provide Lingard with the opportunity to showcase his abilities and potentially secure a longer-term deal.
As Lingard continues his training at West Ham, fans will be eagerly watching to see if the club decides to offer him a contract. Lingard’s proven talent and previous success at the London Stadium make him an attractive option for the team. Only time will tell if Lingard’s return to West Ham will result in a new chapter in his career.