West Ham have been handed a huge boost in their bid to bring Jesse Lingard back to the London Stadium this month...

What's the word?

According to The Daily Express, Manchester United have reportedly dropped their asking price for the 28-year-old to just £20m, which could see David Moyes now launch a move.

The Hammers have never given up hope of signing Lingard on a permanent deal and their hopes have been heightened this week amid this exciting update.

Back in July, it was thought that the club would be unwilling to pay as much as United's initial £30m valuation, as per The Athletic's Roshane Thomas, so this latest development hands Moyes a massive boost ahead of Deadline Day on August 31st.

Time to strike!

The Irons have made it no secret of their desire to bring Lingard back to east London this season, though time is running out.

After the final game of the 2020/21 season, Moyes revealed his intentions to reporters. He said, via the Evening Standard: "I hope Jesse’s here, we’d like to keep him, he’s done an exceptional job for us but there’s no guarantees, he’s not our player."

Whilst his assistant manager Stuart Pearce added fuel to the fire earlier this week by reiterating their desire to sign the 28-year-old.

"We would like him to come and join us. That has been an open secret. He was wonderful last year," he revealed to talkSPORT. "The ball is in Manchester United’s court. He is contracted to them. We would like him with us, there is no doubt about that. He’s a special lad and was very good around the players – the players really like him."

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Lingard joined on a short-term loan back in January and soon became an instant hit at the London Stadium.

The Red Devils outcast, who did not feature at all against Leeds United on the opening day, provided nine goals and five assists in just 16 appearances, averaging a direct contribution every 109 minutes, via Transfermarkt.

He ended the year as Moyes' second-highest rated player as per WhoScored figures. Undoubtedly, he had a crucial role in the Irons qualifying for the Europa League group stages.

The £19.8m-rated dynamo's impact was also hailed as "absolutely phenomenal" by talkSPORT presenter Adrian Durham in April.

Now that his asking price has dropped to a more affordable value, Moyes and co must make their move for the 29-time England international, who earns a reported £75k-per-week at Old Trafford.

West Ham have not had a better chance to seal Lingard than now.

AND in other news, U-turn: Moyes must sanction bargain West Ham swoop for "phenomenal" 38-goal "fighter"...