Journalist says West Ham in strong position to sign 'amazing' ace who club think is worth '£50m'

Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist Pete O’Rourke has made a West Ham United transfer claim involving attacker Jesse Lingard as he runs down his Manchester United contract.

It was widely reported last month that the England international was one of manager David Moyes’ top targets in east London but West Ham could not get a deal over the line.

This isn’t for lack of trying, with ExWHUemployee on deadline day claiming that the Hammers and transfer chief Rob Newman were still attempting to work a last-minute agreement.

Lingard, after he failed to secure a move away in January, may now leave Old Trafford as a free agent in the summer with O’Rourke making a claim on West Ham’s chances.

Speaking to GMS, the reporter believes that Moyes and co have a ‘very good chance’ of signing the 29-year-old given his previous stint on loan at the London Stadium.

“The thing that gives West Ham a really good chance of getting this deal done is what happened previously with Lingard,” he explained.

“He had a great spell on loan there last season. He knows David Moyes, he knows the club and he knows the players as well.”

Red Devils chiefs, according to reliable sources, actually rate their playmaker very highly despite his real lack of game time in Manchester this season.

According to correspondent Jamie Jackson of The Guardian, United even think Lingard is a ‘£50m’ player going by ability so West Ham signing him for nothing later this year could be brilliant business.

Former Irons defender Rio Ferdinand, speaking to FIVE, has also called his ex-United teammate ‘amazing’ due to his brilliant impact in east London last year.

His nine goals and four assists in just 16 top-flight appearances on loan at the London Stadium certainly back that