West Ham: A free agent seen training with the Hammers
Jesse Lingard, a free agent and former Nottingham Forest player, is currently training with West Ham in an attempt to secure a short-term contract. The English international was seen practicing alongside the Hammers ahead of their Europa League match against Backa Topola.
Lingard joined Nottingham Forest less than a year ago but was released this summer after failing to make his mark at the club. The midfielder has since been spotted training with West Ham, sparking rumors about a potential deal.
The England international was photographed during practice sessions as part of the team’s preparation for their upcoming Europa League campaign. This follows their impressive performance last season when they clinched the UEFA Conference League title.
According to Mail Sport, manager David Moyes has been impressed by Lingard’s performances so far. However, he wants assurance regarding Lingard’s commitment before offering him any kind of deal.
Moyes’ Take on Lingard
In a recent press conference, Moyes did not dismiss the possibility of signing Lingard on a free transfer. He acknowledged that Jesse had trained with them for three weeks and had shown significant improvement from when he first started.
He further added that Lingard was in much better condition now compared to when he initially joined. Recalling his previous stint two years ago where he scored nine goals in 15 games, Moyes expressed hope that giving him another opportunity could yield similar results.
During the international break, the 30-year-old participated in a friendly game against Ipswich behind closed doors due to an agreement between both clubs.
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Lingard at Nottingham Forest. Despite signing a one-year contract with Steve Cooper’s side, he failed to score or provide an assist in 17 Premier League appearances.
Lingard had chosen Forest over West Ham last summer due to a more lucrative offer reportedly worth £200,000 per week. This decision led to tensions during a match between the two clubs when Hammers fans threw fake money at Lingard.
