Varun Pai
West Ham United fear Manchester United will not sell Jesse Lingard to them in January due to their Top 4 ambitions
According to The Telegraph (Subscription Required) [h/t The Express], West Ham United fear that Manchester United will not allow them to sign Jesse Lingard in January due to their Top 4 ambitions.
The 28-year-old is in the final six months of his contract at Old Trafford. However, it does not look like Lingard is going to commit to an extension.
The Englishman was promised minutes by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season but he is yet to make a league start. In fact, his performances have helped United avoid defeat multiple times this season, but he has not been trusted with a full 90minutes on the pitch.
The winger is thought to be preferring a loan move in January before sealing a permanent transfer as a free agent in the summer. West Ham United remain one of the potential destinations, after the player’s stellar loan spell at the club last season.
Lingard contributed to 14 goals in 16 appearances at the London Stadium and could be a huge addition again. However, the Hammers fear that the Manchester-based club shall not allow this deal to go through.
This is because they are direct rivals to United in the Top 4 race. David Moyes propelled the club to secure Europa League qualification last season, but they have notched up a level this season.
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They are actively competing for a UCL spot, and this could prove to be disadvantageous when signing the English international. United could instead send the player to another Premier League side that is not a direct threat to them.
Regardless, it looks like the academy graduate is set to leave the club at the start of 2022.
