West Ham could walk away from £7.5m deal after ‘ground-breaking’ Jesse Lingard twist – pundit
Noel Whelan has insisted West Ham shouldn’t “hang about too long” as Jesse Lingard fields interest from Major League Soccer.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the decision to sign for the Hammers should be a “no-brainer” for the 29-year-old.
Football Insider revealed on Monday (4 July) that West Ham and Everton have been told that Lingard is holding out for a deal worth £150,000-a-week – around £7.5million per year.
However, ESPN updated on Wednesday (6 July) to reveal that the England international is now set to fly to the USA to hear offers from two MLS sides.
Lingard scored nine goals and supplied five assists during a loan spell at the London Stadium in the second half of the 2020-21 season.
Whelan insisted the 29-year-old is still in his prime years and shouldn’t be considering a move to the States.
“West Ham shouldn’t be waiting around for him,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“He should, if he wants to play for the club, be deep in talks with them to try and get this deal over the line.
“I’d much prefer to be in the Premier League than playing over in the MLS. That’s something you turn to when you’re 33 or 34.
“Lingard still has some of his best years in front of him.
“West Ham shouldn’t hang about too long. This isn’t working for them. They want bodies through the door for pre-season, and he’s taking too long about this. It shouldn’t be a hard decision.
“He knows the football club and he was excellent during his loan – it should’ve been a no-brainer.”
In other news, Football Insider updates as Everton make decision on signing Irons target Emmanuel Dennis.