Manchester United have confirmed Jesse Lingard’s loan move to West Ham for the rest of the season, report Laurie Whitwell and David Ornstein.
West Ham will cover Lingard’s full wages, and The Athletic understands they will pay United a loan fee of around £1.5 million.
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Lingard has silenced the doubters his whole career. This will be no different
How has this move come about?
Sheffield United, Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion were also understood to be keen, while Marseille made an enquiry. Lingard sees West Ham, however, as a good option given their place in the league table.
Said Benrahma’s loan move from Brentford was made permanent on Friday to facilitate Lingard’s arrival. Premier League clubs are only allowed two domestic loan deals a season, with Benrahma and Craig Dawson previously taking up those slots at West Ham.
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The Lingard signing is likely to be the end of West Ham’s business.
What have the respective managers said about the move?
“He (Lingard) will give us more attacking options,” said West Ham manager David Moyes. “He can play in all the positions along the front line and as a midfielder.”
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “We want Jesse to come back revitalised and having shown at West Ham how good a player he is.”
Why have West Ham brought Lingard in?
Moyes was keen to sign a player he worked with as manager at Old Trafford.
Lingard did not play competitively under Moyes but performed well on the club’s pre-season tour in 2013 and trained with the first team in between loans to Birmingham City and Brighton & Hove Albion that campaign.
They also need further attacking options after the exit of Sebastien Haller earlier this month.
Hang on, didn’t Manchester United just extend his contract?
Yes, they triggered their one-year extension in December. His contract was previously set to expire in the summer.
It will now run until summer 2022. This just meant they protected themselves from losing him for free in the summer.
The 28-year-old has played very infrequently this season.
What has Lingard said?
“I’m excited,” Lingard told West Ham TV.
“It’s another new chapter in my life. Nothing is guaranteed but I’ve come here to work hard and help the team and bring my experience. That’s the main aim. I just want to enjoy my football and get back playing again and get my feet back on the pitch.
“There were lots of clubs involved but, for me personally, I felt this was the right move. I’ve obviously had a previous relationship with the manager as he was at Man U and I’ve played under him before, so he knows my qualities and what I can bring to the team.
“It’s important that a player and manager have a good relationship. (Moyes has) got really good morals, he gets his team working hard and I’ve had a chat with him already and there are no guarantees – it’s down to me to put the work in and put the graft in, to get into the team and play well week-in, week-out.”
Is there anything else I need to know?
The Athletic's Roshane Thomas has analysed what Lingard will bring to West Ham, Go Deeper below.
(Photo: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)