West Ham United have been given renewed hope in their bid to bring Jesse Lingard back to the London Stadium this week...

What's the word?

Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has delivered a fresh update on the 28-year-old's future following his return to parent club Manchester United.

Speaking on 'The Strettycast' podcast, he said:

"From what I heard it’s West Ham or Manchester United. I don’t see him leaving for another club," claimed Romano.

"If he has to leave Manchester United it’s for West Ham. If not, he’s staying at Manchester United and they’re going to discuss his contract.

"From what I know, they have a meeting scheduled to discuss it to see what happens in the next days and weeks."

A glimmer of hope

A lot has been made on the future of the Old Trafford outcast in recent weeks.

It's thought that one of David Moyes' biggest priorities is to bring the England international back to East London ahead of next season after he excelled during a very successful loan move from United in January.

Lingard provided the Scotsman with nine goals and five assists to help guide the Hammers into the Europa League, whilst only Tomas Soucek was rated higher than him, as per WhoScored figures.

After the final game of the 2020/21 season - a win over Southampton - Moyes reiterated his desire to sign the midfielder permanently.

"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. But I hope Jesse realises we’ve been good for him as well, and that he joined a club on the up."

It still very much remains to be seen where his future lies as some reports have suggested that United are prepared to offer him a lengthy contract extension, despite not featuring for them in the Premier League since July 2020.

There has also been a suggestion that the Red Devils would be willing to sell him for a fee in the region of £25m.

This latest update from Romano, however, provides the Irons with fresh hope that he could well come back to the London Stadium this summer as the Italian claims it's either Old Trafford or West Ham for the £19.8m-rated star next season, not just a definite that he will be staying at United as has been reported in the last week or so

It'll surely leave the fans and Moyes absolutely buzzing.

AND in other news, ExWHUemployee drops gutting West Ham transfer update...