Lingard ‘edging closer’ to West Ham return following ‘breakthrough’ – Premier League duo ‘miss out’

According to reports, Jesse Lingard is ‘edging closer’ to returning to West Ham United following the expiration of his contract at Man Utd.

The England international has only been a bit-part player for Man Utd over the past couple of seasons.

Lingard performed brilliantly while on loan at West Ham during the 2020/21 campaign. He grabbed nine goals and four assists in 16 Premier League outings.

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The midfielder was back at Man Utd last term but his contract expired earlier this summer.

The 29-year-old is yet to sign for a new club but 90min are now reporting that he is ‘edging closer to a return to West Ham’.

There is said to have been a ‘breakthrough in talks’ with the player’s representatives.

A deal is not expected to be completed as there have been ‘further positive talks’. The report adds that Everton and Newcastle United are set to ‘miss out’ after expressing interest in Lingard.

Gabriel Agbonlahor criticised Simon Jordan last week after the latter hit out at Lingard.

Jordan has slammed Lingard, claiming that the midfielder has “flushed out the last three years” of his career.

Former Aston Villa forward Agbonlahor does not think Jordan “can handle that” Lingard may have more money than him:

“That annoyed me when I heard that,” Agbonlahor told talkSPORT.

“I feel Simon can be quite bitter, he reminds me of a bitter owner who you try to negotiate a contract with and