David Moyes keen to make Jesse Lingard's move from Manchester United permanent
By Ross Jackson
West Ham manager David Moyes has outlined his desire to sign Jesse Lingard on a permanent deal once his loan move from Manchester United expires in the summer.
The England midfielder has been in stellar form since securing a temporary move away from Old Trafford. His first six Premier League appearances for the Hammers have gleaned four goals and two assists, with the Hammers well placed to qualify for the Champions League.
It was recently revealed that Lingard's loan move to the London Stadium did not an option to buy, though it's since emerged that United would be willing to accept an offer in the region of £20m.
Moyes is hoping the ambition shown by the club will be enough to convince Lingard to make the switch permanent in the summer, with further recruitment potentially on the horizon as West Ham look to secure their place in the upper echelons of the Premier League.
“I hope we’re going to be in a position to attract many players in the future, because of our league position, because we’re a club with stature, we’re in London, we have a 60,000-plus stadium which will be full every week. I think all those things go in our favour,” he said, as quoted by Goal.
“Jesse wanted to come here, right from the start. When I was talking to him he wanted to come to West Ham. He saw it as a really good place for him. I think he’ll have seen what we’re trying to do.
“He’s joined a good group of players as well. We’ve got international players and I’m hoping we can add to that in the coming transfer window. The job is to try to add to that.
“But I would hope Jesse sees this as a good place if it’s possible to be done, and if we think that we want to do it at the end of the season.”
Securing Champions League football would undoubtedly be a huge plus for West Ham as they look to attract top talents to east London.
The club are currently two points off the top four with a game in hand over fourth place Chelsea, and the next few weeks of the season could be crucial with games against United, Arsenal and Leicester on the horizon.