West Ham have ’50/50′ chance of signing Lingard after Twitter post – pundit
Jesse Lingard would be happy to listen to rival offers despite his successful loan spell at West Ham, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Premier League striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 28-year-old would want to put himself “in the shop window” playing for England at the Euros.
Lingard took to Twitter to thank the staff, players and fans at West Ham after a hugely successful loan spell in east London.
He signed the message off saying: “Whatever the future holds West Ham will hold a special place in my heart”.
Whelan insisted Lingard sounded as though he would be happy to stay at the London Stadium past the summer.
However, he suggested the playmaker had left the door open to a move elsewhere with his message.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “He sounds like a man that’s happy to stay at West Ham but also happy to listen to other offers.
“It’s a 50/50, isn’t it? It’s going to be interesting to see where this one plays out.
“He’s also got a big tournament ahead of him, which will also put him in the shop window even more. It’s not just English clubs but foreign clubs and European clubs.
“West Ham have put themselves in a really strong position getting into Europe now as well. However, is the Europa League enough for Jesse Lingard?”
David Moyes has already confessed he would love to keep Lingard past the summer.
The loanee scored nine goals and contributed five assists in 16 appearances for the Irons.
The 27-cap international was named among Gareth Southgate’s provisional England squad earlier this week.
In other news, West Ham have opened director of football talks.