Former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie hopes that the Irons don’t re-sign former loan star, Jesse Lingard.
The 29-year-old Manchester United midfielder is now entering the final month of his contract with the Red Devils, with David Moyes rumoured to be interested in bringing Lingard back to the London Stadium, having had a productive loan spell with Irons back in the second half of the 2020/21 season.
Moyes tried to bring Lingard back to East London both last summer and in the winter transfer windows, but the move broke down both times, with the Scotsman reportedly growing frustrated over their attempts at bringing in the former England international.
However, former Irons striker McAvennie is not impressed by Moyes’ rumoured interest in the player, and hopes that he doesn’t re-join the club in the summer, when talking to West Ham Zone.
“They’re talking about getting Lingard back, I’m not sure that’s the right thing,” said McAvennie.
“He got in the England team playing for West Ham and he wanted to go back and play second fiddle at Man United and sit on the bench.
“Where’s your ambition?
“He was enjoying his football and the fans loved him at West Ham, so you know I get if you want to go back and fight for your place at Man United but he wasn’t.”
Our thoughts on McAvennie’s Lingard comments
Despite McAvennie’s powerful views on Lingard’s ambitions, we believe that the £18m-rated man would be an exceptional signing for Moyes’ side on a free transfer.
The current Manchester United outcast made 16 appearances for the Irons during his loan spell in 2021, scoring nine goals and providing five assists, according to Transfermarkt.
This would put him ahead of both Saïd Benrahma’s and Pablo Fornals’ goals per 90 minutes ratio this season according to FBRef, with Lingard’s goals per 90 ratio ranking at 0.57, compared to that of Fornals and Benrahma with stats of 0.19 and 0.33 respectively.
The 29-year-old also adds versatility to the team, with the traditional attacking midfielder being comfortable playing in either the middle of the park or in the front three.
As a free transfer, it would be in the interest of both Lingard and West Ham to try and get this deal over the line as quickly as possible.
In other news, Mark Noble has sent an emotional farewell message to West Ham
