Sources: West Ham close in on two new signings amid unexpected Sheffield Utd move
West Ham are in pole position to seal the signing of Man United star Jesse Lingard after Sheffield United pulled out of the race, Football Insider understands.
The high-flying Londoners have been given the green light by United to take Lingard, 28, on loan for the second half of the season.
A West Ham source has told Football Insider the club are in negotiations to add the England international to the imminent capture of England Under-18 left-back Matthew Bondswell from RB Leipzig.
This site exclusively revealed on Monday he was headed to England for a Hammers medical and to finalise personal terms.
Bondswell, who is currently on a season-long loan at Dutch second-tier club FC Dordrecht, is set to join West Ham on a permanent deal despite competing interest from Leeds United and Chelsea.
The defender is seen as one for the future, while Lingard is regarded as capable of slotting straight into David Moyes' side.
He was on the Scot's radar last summer but he was not convinced at that stage about the player's desire or United's willingness to allow the deal.
Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer has now given the green light to the attacking midfielder being loaned out for the rest of the season.
Sheffield United had made an approach for Lingard, as well as his Old Trafford teammate Brandon Williams, but the owners have now surprisingly pulled the plug on any incoming or outgoing transfers this month.
Chris Wilder had been told going into this window that money was available for two loan signings to bolster United’s injury-hit and relegation-threatened squad.
United last month triggered a one-year extension to Lingard’s deal, extending his spell at the club until the summer of 2022.
He has barely figured this season and made just three appearances, all of which have come in the domestic cups.