Agbonlahor lambasts Jesse Lingard after latest West Ham and Everton twist
Jesse Lingard was not good enough for Man United in 2021-22 to demand a £150,000-a-week contract from West Ham or Everton.
That is the view of ex-Aston Villa and England forward Gabby Agbonlahor, speaking exclusively to Football Insider as West Ham and Everton look to sign the 29-year-old.
A recruitment source told Football Insider earlier this week (4 July) that Lingard is seeking a £150,000-a-week deal from his new club as he is set to move on a free transfer.
West Ham have offered him a long-term deal but it is understood Everton are more likely to meet his demands.
“Sometimes when you have such a quiet season, a poor season with a lack of game time, you cannot demand that sort of money when you are on a free transfer,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“I feel you will only get that sort of money if you have had a great season and are on a free transfer. Jesse Lingard does not deserve that money at the moment.
“Clubs will be thinking ‘Yes we like him’ but sporting directors and chief executives will be thinking ‘We’re not just dishing out that money and putting him on more money than players who have been working there socks off for the club’.
“West Ham are probably thinking ‘You’re not going to be on more than Michail Antonio’ or other players who have done very well for the club and are guaranteed starters. It doesn’t work like that.
“If they give him that then the likes of [Jarrod] Bowen are going to want £150,000-a-week.
“I just don’t think clubs will do that and Jesse Lingard might be one of those players who doesn’t sign somewhere until after the season starts because he has to lower his wage demands when he has had such a poor season.”
In other news, David Moyes has blocked West Ham from signing a star after a deal is all but done by GSB.