West Ham's hopes of re-signing Jesse Lingard this summer have seemingly been handed a boost, with reports suggesting that he favours a return to the London Stadium.
What's the word?
According to talkSPORT, West Ham remain the Englishman's first choice for a new club this summer following his departure from Manchester United as the Irons are handed a bright green light to make a swoop.
The 29-year-old is attracting interest from a host of Premier League sides, with Everton and Tottenham Hotspur also said to be interested in the midfielder, but it seems as if he wants to be reunited with David Moyes after his excellent loan spell at the club in the 2020/21 campaign.
Lingard hit nine goals and four assists in just 16 Premier League appearances for the Hammers, averaging a superb 7.22 rating from WhoScored for his performances.
His form earned him a recall to Gareth Southgate's England squad and he clearly felt he could push for a starting spot at Old Trafford last season but he spent much of the season on the bench, making just two starts in the Premier League season, so it was no surprise that he opted to leave upon the expiry of his contract.
Moyes would love him
Although West Ham are well-stocked in terms of attacking midfielders, Moyes was reportedly willing to bid £15m for him just last summer, so he would surely love to add him to his squad on a free transfer ahead of next season.
The Scottish manager suggested that Lingard had made a "big difference" to their squad in the 2020/21 season, and the attacker could be exactly what West Ham need if they are going to improve on another impressive season in the upcoming campaign.
Rio Ferdinand was full of praise for the Englishman during his last spell with the Hammers, saying:
“If you’re looking at him as just a cold footballer, anyone who knows football surely has to see the kid has a talent.
"Since he's gone in there, what he's done is amazing."
Therefore, if talkSPORT's report is true and West Ham is Lingard's favoured destination, then Moyes should do everything he can to bring him back to the London Stadium.
He would certainly be an inspired signing as the Hammers aim to compete among the Premier League's best again next term.