West Ham: 32-cap star could return to London Stadium for free

There is a ‘possibility’ that West Ham United could sign Manchester United forward Jesse Lingard in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The 29-year-old has entered the final few months of his current contract at Old Trafford and is expected to depart on a free transfer after becoming frustrated with his lack of game time.

Lingard revived his career with a stellar loan spell at West Ham last season, scoring nine goals and providing a further five assists in 16 Premier League appearances after joining in January.

Upon his return to Old Trafford, former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is believed to have promised him sufficient game time, yet that never came to fruition.

And the arrival of interim boss Ralf Rangnick in November also failed to transform Lingard’s fortunes, with the versatile star amassing just 392 minutes of action across all competitions.

As a result, Lingard was close to leaving his boyhood club during the winter window, but United rejected approaches from top-four rivals West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur.

Meanwhile, a deal could not be reached with Newcastle United as the Red Devils were thought to be demanding a £12 million survival bonus if they managed to maintain their top-flight status.

Well-known journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano then revealed that Lingard is ‘expected to leave’ the 20-time English champions in June as a ‘free agent’, putting several clubs on high alert.

Lingard played a key role in the Hammers securing a sixth-place finish last term, and they have continued to progress in his absence.

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But O’Rourke believes his previous exploits at the London Stadium means David