David Moyes has dropped probably dropped his heaviest hint yet that Jesse Lingard is ready to come to the Irons as a permanent signing but – as his way – adds that’s if the Irons want to do it!

It’s almost an unnecessary  comment given the circumstances but that’s the manager for you.

The topic is dominating most conversations in and around the club right now with the England call-up pleasing some and worrying others.

But one thing is for sure – all of this has been achieved off the back of a special relationship struck up between the manager and player. It augurs well for the future of the player at this club.

It’s been clear since he arrived that he could hardly be happier at a club which is equally happy with him and Moyes has made it clear that Jesse had always wanted to come to West Ham when the original discussions were going on.

He said: “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,’ Moyes said.

‘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.’