Journalist "sure" West Ham now "actively monitoring" 35-goal ace, he's a long-term Moyes target

Journalist Pete O'Rourke believes West Ham are still keeping a close eye on Jesse Lingard's situation at Manchester United heading into the final days of the January transfer window.

The 29-year-old is into the last six months of his contract at Old Trafford, and has been linked with a move away from the club this month.

Despite failing to start a single league game so far in 2021/22, there are no shortage of potential suitors for Lingard.

The 32-cap international has been attracting the attention of Newcastle, Tottenham and West Ham in the Premier League, while Ligue 1 outfit Nice have also reportedly joined the race for his signature this week.

However, West Ham's hopes of signing the attacking midfielder may have been given a boost after The Athletic's David Ornstein revealed on Tuesday that Newcastle are close to giving up on trying to sign Lingard due to the size of the loan fee that United are demanding.

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Lingard, who has scored 35 goals during his United career, spent the second half of last season at West Ham, but it seemed like Newcastle may have held the edge in terms of signing him this time around.

O'Rourke has admitted that the Magpies are clearly capable of out-spending West Ham thanks to their new owners, but, following Ornstein's update, he has now hinted that the Irons could step up their efforts to tempt Lingard back to east London.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “Newcastle have the advantage on the financial side of things at the minute, but I’m sure West Ham are actively monitoring the Lingard situation.”

That is anyone's guess at the moment. 

It seemed that Newcastle were closing in on landing the forward, but now their hopes