Tottenham Hotspur remain keen on Jesse Lingard...
What's the word?
According to the Guardian, Spurs are monitoring the situation of the 29-year-old as he remains without a club less than a month before the new Premier League season.
West Ham United have held further talks with their former loan star amid interest from newly-promoted Nottingham Forest, with the likes of Everton, Newcastle United and Leicester City also keen.
It's thought that Lingard is holding out for £180k-per-week, which is a figure that has put the Irons off for the time being. He's expected to make a decision on his future imminently.
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Homegrown talent
The signing of the former Manchester United man isn't likely to excite many supporters around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but he is a player that could help Antonio Conte massively.
Not only is he English but he is also an attacking playmaker capable of playing in multiple roles.
Spurs have a homegrown issue heading into the new campaign and that could yet get even worse with academy graduate Japhet Tanganga close to a switch to Serie A giants AC Milan.
The Lilywhites are also thought to be on the lookout for a new no.10 and the England international proved he was more than capable of fulfilling that role in the big time during a loan spell at the Hammers.
Under David Moyes, he delivered 355 minutes last term.
"He’s a special lad and was very good around the players, the players really like him. His ability shone out last year and gave us a great option in our squad," claimed West Ham assistant Stuart Pearce.
Lingard wouldn't cost chairman Daniel Levy a penny in terms of a transfer fee, so that would be quite the steal considering he is valued at £16.2m by Transfermarkt, which is the third-highest figure of all players currently without a club.
So, if sporting director Fabio Paratici wants to improve Spurs' homegrown quota and add a creative player into the mix at the same time, then they should look no further than Lingard.
He could be a bargain seventh signing of the summer.
AND in other news, Paratici given green light to seal "extraordinary" £34m Spurs signing, Conte needs him...