West Ham tipped to submit ‘cheeky’ £8m Lingard bid after Pearce reveal – pundit
Noel Whelan has tipped West Ham to launch a “cheeky” late bid to sign Jesse Lingard from Manchester United.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested an £8million offer could be enough to secure the 29-year-old’s signature.
Speaking to talkSPORT Breakfast on Tuesday (25 January), West Ham assistant manager Stuart Pearce confirmed the Irons are still interested in signing Lingard after failing with a move over the summer.
He went on to say it would be “utopia” if the Hammers can strike a deal before Monday’s transfer deadline.
Whelan suggested West Ham would be “fools” not to at least make an offer before Monday’s transfer deadline.
“There’s no harm in putting a cheeky bid in. I think £8million would probably suffice to get a player of that quality,” Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge.
“You’ve only got six months left on his contract. A cheeky £8million bid to get a player of that quality, still loads to offer in the Premier League, he’s been at the club before.
“Let’s just see and test the water. Let’s see how much resolve Manchester United do have.
“At £8million, you can’t really turn your nose up when a player’s got next to nothing left on this contract. I think West Ham would be fools not to consider that.”
Lingard scored nine goals in 16 appearances for the Hammers during his half-a-season loan last year.
In stark contrast, he has started just twice in 14 games for Manchester United this term.
In other news, West Ham set sights on two young strikers after narrowing down their transfer search.