"Not many people know" - Journalist reveals West Ham were "very close" to signing 35-goal star

West Ham United remain keen to sign Jesse Lingard after coming agonisingly close to acquiring the Manchester United man in the dying moments of last summer's window, according to Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor.

The Hammers forked out an initial fee of £26.8milion to sign Nikola Vlasic on deadline day last August, but it appears boss David Moyes was a whisker away from prising fellow attacking midfielder Lingard away from Old Trafford on the same day.

There are question marks over Lingard's Manchester United future as he has entered the final six months of his £75,000-per-week contract.

The Red Devils rejected a bid from Newcastle United, which would have seen him head to St James' Park on loan for the remainder of the campaign, last week.

Despite seeing their initial proposal pushed back by their Premier League rivals, the Magpies have not given up hope of securing Lingard's services and submitted a second offer.

However, ESPN have revealed West Ham's hopes of winning the race for the 32-cap England international have been boosted.

The report suggests Manchester United are keen to negotiate a permanent transfer as it is their final chance to recoup a fee for their academy product and Lingard, who has scored 35 goals for his current employers, is hoping West Ham will make a move.

Red Devils interim manager Ralf Rangnick has insisted Lingard's destiny is in his own hands ahead of next week's deadline.

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Taylor has revealed Lingard was on the brink of joining West Ham last August, only to end up remaining at Manchester United.

The journalist understands the attacking midfielder opted against heading back to the London Stadium due to