West Ham United have been handed a major setback in their attempts to sign Jesse Lingard permanently as his parent club are now apparently happy to keep hold of him for next season.
What's the word?
According to the ever-reliable ExWHUemployee, the 28-year-old midfielder could be set to sign a new contract at Manchester United after holding talks with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and if he does, that will all but end the Irons' hopes of securing him this summer.
"Whilst this story could drag on for most of the summer, at this point it appears that whilst we have interest, it will be hard for us to convince Manchester United to sell him and that they could be preparing a new contract for him.
"Ole has spoken to the player and has said he is prepared to give him a chance to prove himself, which Lingard is set to be keen on. His heart has always been torn but following discussions, it does appear that Ole is prepared to give him another chance to prove himself.
"There are a number of clubs circulating as well but it seems at the moment that his most likely destination is to remain at the club."
Ex has previously described Lingard as David Moyes' "main target" and claimed that the player himself "loves West Ham," so this saga is by no means over but if he does sign a new deal, then that would obviosuly indicate that he plans to stay in Manchester.
Devastating news
The £20m-rated dynamo is currently earning around £75k-per-week in Manchester and it is thought that the East Londoners would struggle to commit to his wage demands of £100k-per-week, as per the Daily Mail.
Which is merely another complication in their attempts to bring him back.
[snack-amp-story url= "https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-latest-west-ham-news-transfer-gossip-rumours-staff-gsb-moyes-updates-and-more" title= "Read the latest West Ham news, transfer rumours, gossip and more!"]
He is someone that Moyes is evidently desperate to keep hold of as speakin to reporters after their final game of the season.
AND in other news, Moyes could sign the Irons their next Jermain Defoe in "very dangerous" £18m-rated gem...