West Ham have rejected multiple opportunities to snap up Jesse Lingard on a free transfer.
The former Manchester United player is currently without a club after leaving South Korean outfit FC Seoul at the start of this month.
Asked by Hammers News whether Lingard could return, a “spokesman” of the club made it clear that they are not interested in re-signing the forward, who spent the second half of the 2020/21 season on loan at the London Stadium:
Most Read on Hammers Headlines
“Lingard has been offered to us by three different agents. But he is not for us at this time.”
West Ham are looking to the future
Lingard is now 33 years of age, and while he has performed well during his two years in South Korea, he hasn’t shown that he can perform in a top European league since his time with the Irons.
The former England international allowed his career to drift after returning to Manchester United in the summer of 2021. He eventually joined Nottingham Forest on a one-year contract a year later but he failed to make an impression. After leaving the City Ground in June 2023, it took him the best part of 7 months to find a new team.
Lingard’s switch to Seoul at the beginning of 2024 came as a surprise to many but he did make the most of his experience in the Far East, scoring 19 goals and contributing 10 assists in 67 appearances prior to leaving.
Nuno’s priority is a no.9
While you could argue that Lingard is a forward, he is not someone who can lead the line and head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has emphasised the need to bring in a target man.
Signing a striker could soon become even more pressing if Niclas Fullkrug’s move to AC Milan is confirmed. Talks with the Serie A giants have been taking place this week, with a loan deal being worked on.
Read more about the West Ham First Team Squad for 2025/26 here