West Ham United are believed to have made a move to sign England international Jesse Lingard, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

What's the word?

Writing on Twitter, the transfer insider revealed that an offer has been made by the Hammers to try and bring the 29-year-old back to the London Stadium this summer, with the forward set to be available on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract at Manchester United.

Sheth stated:

"West Ham United have made an offer to Jesse Lingard’s representatives over signing the player on a free transfer. Lingard officially becomes a free agent on July 1st following the expiration of his Manchester United contract."

The Red Devils academy product - who spent six months on loan with the east London outfit in 2021 - had been tipped to make a permanent move back to the Irons last summer, while he also saw a possible loan switch to Newcastle United collapse in January.

Supporters will love

Those failed moves ultimately saw the £16.2m-rated gem remain at Old Trafford for the entirety of the 2021/22 campaign, although he subsequently endured a sad end to his time with his boyhood club, making just two Premier League starts in total in what proved yet another wasted year back at Carrington.

That lack of action may be a concern to Irons supporters, although the £80k-per-week star had seemingly not been helped by the declining state of affairs at the Theatre of Dreams, while his early-season form had perhaps warranted a more prominent role.

Arguably the high point of a largely underwhelming campaign came, ironically, against David Moyes' side on their own turf, with the 32-cap playmaker netting a stunning late effort to snatch all three points for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side back in September.

The home support had become accustomed to such moments of genius during Lingard's blistering loan stint at the London Stadium during the second half of the 2020/21 season, as he netted nine goals and provided four assists in just 16 league games for the club.

While he failed to kick on since then back at his parent club, that brief spell served as a reminder as to his undoubted quality, with it worth remembering that this is a player who has starred at a World Cup and netted in three Wembley triumphs for United.

The hope will be that he can recapture that previous form were he to sign on a longer-term deal with West Ham in the current window, with Moyes and co seemingly in need of attacking additions following the departure of veteran forward Andriy Yarmolenko and with Nikola Vlasic also linked with a swift exit.

Supporters will no doubt love seeing a familiar face in the form of Lingard make a welcome return this summer, with it seemingly foolish to turn down the chance to sign such a talented asset on a free.

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