"Special" 56-goal "fighter" gives West Ham transfer the green light, GSB must now act - opinion

West Ham United have been handed a huge boost in their bid to bring Jesse Lingard back to the London Stadium in the January transfer window.

That’s according to a report by ESPN, who claim that the Manchester United attacking midfielder is keen to leave Old Trafford this month, and is hoping that West Ham – where he spent the second half of last season on loan – make an offer for his services before the closure of the current market on January 31.

The report goes on to state that Newcastle United are also interested in the England international, however, the 29-year-old is thought to only be willing to join the Magpies on loan before assessing his options this summer.

While the Lingard to West Ham transfer saga has been ongoing for the best part of a year now, should ESPN’s information be correct in that the forward has given a move back to East London the green light, the Hammers board simply must make a move for the 29-year-old in the coming days.

Indeed, over his 16 Premier League appearances during his temporary spell at the London Stadium last season, the £18m-rated midfielder was in astonishing form for the club, bagging nine goals, providing five assists and creating three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.6 shots and making 1.1 key passes per game.

These returns saw the £75k-per-week forward – who Lee Clark dubbed a “fighter” and Paul Robinson labelled a “special” talent – earn a remarkable seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.19, ranking him as the Irons’ best player in the top flight of English football.

As such, should Lingard indeed be keen on a return to London Stadium this month, West Ham simply must make a move for the 29-year-old, as the signing of the player who has scored