'Definitely', 'Big' - Reporter drops West Ham claim on 'extraordinary' target Moyes loves

TalkSPORT reporter Alex Crook has provided an update on the West Ham United pursuit of Jesse Lingard, confirming he is ‘definitely a big target’.

Having missed out on the permanent capture of the 29-year-old following a stunning loan spell in east London, the Hammers can now look again to bring Lingard to the club on a free transfer.

Set to become a free agent on July 1 when his contract at Old Trafford expires, West Ham are reportedly in talks with the former England regular, who wants wages in excess of £150,000 per week.

After completing the move to bring Alphonse Areola to the London Stadium to add to the capture of Nayef Aguerd last week, one informed onlooker has now suggested that David Moyes has his sights firmly set on Lingard…

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Crook claimed that Lingard may need to lessen his wage demands but the Irons would certainly want to get the deal over the line.

He said: “He’s definitely a big target, but he’s going to have to lower his wage demands, Newcastle have already walked away.

“He’s got to be careful, Juventus have already cooled their interest, so he’s in danger of pricing himself out of a move, but David Moyes would love to sign him, there’s no question about that.”

Albeit the lofty salary demands would see the forward overtake the benchmark currently upheld by GSB in terms of wages, a player of the £16.2million valued Lingard’s undoubted quality being available on a free transfer allows the 32-cap England man to more or less name his fee.

Last season, the dynamic attacker – who was praised for an ‘extraordinary’ transformation during his loan spell with the Hammers by journalist Rob Meech – only managed two goals and one assist in 22 appearances across all competitions, failing to