David Moyes has made it clear to the Hammers board that Jesse Lingard is his absolute priority for the summer window.
Stories have started to circulate that Manchester United could be ready to offer the 28 year old a new deal but the Hammers boss sees him as a vital addition to the Irons squad.
And we understand that the club is ready to ensure that one way or another they find the cash to bring the midfielder into the London Stadium on a permanent basis.
Moyes also wants a striker but with Lingard on board he has a crucial addition to his attacking options and the club are believed to be ready to go all the way on Lingard for a boss who will have been awarded his own new contract – likely to be for two years.
Sources inside the club have seen Lingard become a permanent Hammer in all but name since arriving such is his joy at being a part of the squad.
And although he has yet to speak publicly on his future he remains desperately keen to become a Hammer according to those close to him.
I wonder sometimes how some people have made a career out of football. Lingard has been great for us but if Moyes believes he is the no 1 signing and we need to get him at any price for example at the expense of bringing in at least one top CF then I cannot agree with this. Lingard at 10m is a good deal – anything more in this climate is silly money especially as we have so many priority positions to fill in the team. For me signing a top 9 like Arnie and a brilliant 10 like the SP youngster at any price would be going to the next level, yes if we can sign Lingard but not as the priority signing. This is our chance to really close that gap as we can get terrific value in the market today – lets not waste it. I would say to sign Lingard it would have to be a good deal for the club like the deal for Dawson. Dawson will not bring us to the next level but its a good deal, a top CB is still required for us to go next level and I would say if we have Diop and Ogbonna one side it has to be a player who is a brilliant defender, reads the game well and can play.
7 appearance
5 goals
3 assists
Back in the England squad.
And you would only pay 10 mil for him? Good luck with that.
If we do not get him another good team like Leicester, spurs, arsenal or Everton will take him.
He is our best attacker and we must keep him at the club. I would offer 20 mil today to get the deal done now
Shown clearly blowing a bubble in a 2012 photo on his wikipedia page.
Leys be clear, Lingard’s recruitment must not be instead of a striker but in addition to. We also need a left back that can actually defend.