West Ham step up Lingard interest after Danjuma pursuit hits problems

West Ham are stepping up efforts to sign Jesse Lingard after their move for Villarreal’s Arnaut Danjuma ran into difficulties.

The club have held talks with Villarreal about Danjuma, with €40m (£34.5m) plus add-ons potentially enough to land the Dutch winger, but the deal is now in doubt. West Ham have not agreed personal terms with the 25-year-old and various complications mean they are ready to move on to other attacking targets.

That could draw a frustrated reaction from Villarreal, who could use the funds from selling Danjuma to pursue the Almería forward Umar Sadiq. But David Moyes, West Ham’s manager, is increasingly minded to look elsewhere and is keen to bring Lingard back to the London Stadium.

Lingard, who has left Manchester United on a free transfer, impressed on loan at West Ham two seasons ago. Moyes is pushing to sign him but other clubs are interested in the attacking midfielder and West Ham could need the 29-year-old to lower his wage demands.

Moyes wants to improve his attacking options and is keen to bring in a striker. He has looked at Chelsea’s Armando Broja, but West Ham are yet to make an offer for the 20-year-old. Broja, who has interest from elsewhere, could be given a chance to impress Thomas Tuchel in pre-season before Chelsea decide on his future.

West Ham have strengthened their defence by signing Nayef Aguerd from Rennes and have bought the French goalkeeper Alphonse Areola from Paris Saint-Germain. They also want a left-back and at least one central midfielder.