Man Utd reject still available for hire after West Ham stall on chance to sign him on a free transfer
Jesse Lingard is still a free agent despite training with West Ham for the past few weeks as he attempts to earn a contract at the London Stadium.
The former England international left Nottingham Forest at the end of last season after his performances failed to match up to his £80,000 per week wage.
Lingard made 20 appearances at the City Ground, scoring two goals and making two assists in the process. That was not enough to convince Steve Cooper to extend his deal.
Lingard’s season-long stint with Forest came after he left Manchester United when his contract there came to an end in 2022, after seeing his minutes gradually diminish.
His best form in recent years arguably came at West Ham. He spent the second half of the 2020/21 season on loan there, netting nine goals and making five assists in 16 appearances for the London club.
As mentioned, Lingard has been training with West Ham over the last few weeks in an attempt to earn a new contract there, as well as to get match-fit.
READ MORE: Man Utd legend orders Ten Hag to drop or sell mega-money flop to Saudi after social media outburst
David Moyes still appears to have not made a decision on whether or not to add him to the squad for the 2023/24 Premier League season, though with a Europa League campaign ahead of the club too, his experience could prove invaluable.
One club Lingard definitely won’t be joining, though, is MLS side DC United, who are managed by his former Man Utd teammate Wayne Rooney.
According to the Washington Post, salary cap issues are to blame for Rooney not being able to bring in Lingard before the MLS transfer deadline on September 13. Lingard is said to want a long-term, guaranteed contract.
With that in mind, with seemingly no other options available to him, Lingard will be hoping that he can convince Moyes to offer him a contract as he continues to train with West Ham.
The 30-year-old remains a free agent as it stands, though, so it will be interesting to see if any other team takes a punt on him in the next few days.
READ MORE: Premier League most chances created: Bruno Fernandes and Bukayo Saka neck and neck