Pranav Nair
West Ham ready to shift focus from Manchester United star Jesse Lingard to Oxlade Chamberlain
According to Anfield Central (h/t The Express), West Ham United appear to have moved on from their efforts to sign Manchester United star Jesse Lingard.
The Red Devils loanee spent the last few months on loan at the Hammers. He averaged close to a goal contribution per game and took them to the verge of Champions League qualification. (h/t Transfermarkt)
Unfortunately, Lingard’s performances were not enough for him to make the final 26 of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the Euros. Given his performances in recent months, one can say that the United ace had the short end of the stick.
West Ham United now appear to have made a change of targets and are now targetting a move for Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain instead.
The Englishman has struggled with injuries the last couple of seasons but remains a good player. He recently scored off the bench in Liverpool’s 3-0 win away to Burnley as they made a final dash to finish in the top four.
At 27, he still has much football left in him and can be a solid player for David Moyes’ side. Whether this means Lingard will now stay at Old Trafford remains to be seen.
The Hammers have already made a bid for the former Arsenal man, with Moyes confident of helping him get back to his best. Having seen his work with Lingard, it is far from idle talk.
Lingard’s contract expires in 2022 and it remains to be seen what United decide to do with him this summer. His stock has never been higher and it remains to be seen if the Red Devils are willing to keep him on or make a buck.
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It was not just Lingard’s performances but also his body language that appeared positive during his time at West Ham. It was a far cry from the struggles he had to face on and off the field at United.
We could certainly use a gamechanger such as him coming off the bench next season. The Europa League final showed us exactly what we were missing off the bench.
