What West Ham source told board confidant about player who is deeply concerning
What West Ham source has told board confidant about Jesse Lingard is deeply concerning with decision due on deal
What a West Ham source has told a board confidant about Jesse Lingard is highly worrying, especially given the upcoming decision on his contract.
Although the summer transfer window has ended, clubs can still recruit free agents before submitting their official squad lists to the Premier League.
That is normally done within the first week after the transfer market closes, so West Ham will have to make a decision on whether to sign Jesse Lingard soon.
Despite not signing anyone on deadline day, West Ham fans were not outraged after the club spent prudently and sensibly on four outstanding players
However, the Hammers are set to make one more signing in the form of Jesse Lingard.
Lingard is a free agent after being released by Forest, the club he joined before joining West Ham last summer.
For some, this is still a sensitive subject.
Others are willing to forgiving the “snub” because they remember the midfielder shining during his spectacular six-month loan tenure at the London Stadium, where he helped drive West Ham to within one win of Champions League qualification and their record Premier League points total.
The early scepticism over bringing back Lingard has melted, and West Ham fans are now much more open to the notion.
Especially given Lingard’s versatility to play up front or as a second forward and West Ham’s failure to sign a striker before the deadline.
Many believe he is also well-suited to the team’s counter-attacking strategy.
So, with the decision on Lingard’s contract due soon, what a West Ham source has informed a board confidant about him is profoundly troubling.
On deadline day, Sean Whetstone said a West Ham source told him Lingard’s fitness is nothing near what is required.
“Jesse Lingard will NOT be signing for West Ham today,” Whetstone reported. “As things stand, he really doesn’t look to be up to the fitness level required.”
“Lingard can still sign after the deadline as a free agent.”
That is worrying for Hammers fans who had grown fond of the prospect of re-signing the quick-footed star.
Lingard, on the other hand, has been publicly demonstrating his devotion to West Ham and earning a contract since that declaration.
The 30-year-old has made social media posts.
The decision to sign him looms.
The good news is that if the claim about his fitness levels is genuine, it is something that can be fixed over the upcoming international break.
Lingard will have plenty of opportunities to play if he signs with West Ham, who are planning another 50-game season.
