West Ham ‘will be gutted’ after ‘huge’ Lingard update reported – pundit
Kevin Campbell has urged West Ham to “look elsewhere” for a “match-winning” midfielder as Man United slam the brakes on a move for Jesse Lingard.
The former Arsenal striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the Hammers “will be gutted” as their hopes of landing the 29-year-old go up in smoke.
According to the Guardian (26 January), Lingard feels “let down and disrespected” by his boyhood club Man United after the collapse of a potential loan exit this month.
The report claims the Red Devils are unwilling to loan the midfielder out to interested parties West Ham and Tottenham as the three clubs are battling for a top-four finish.
Campbell urged the Hammers to take advantage of the “huge opportunity” to secure Champions League qualification this season.
He backed David Moyes’ side to move in the final days of this month’s transfer window.
Campbell told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs: “West Ham will be gutted, of course.
“But at the end of the day – they’re asking Man United to loan them a player who could potentially help them finish above his parent club.
“That’s not happening.
“Here we are in January, it’s a huge opportunity for West Ham to finish in that top four. Maybe they just need to look elsewhere.
“There’s a couple of holes they need to fill. Jesse Lingard is a match-winner, so they need to find someone just like him. It’ll be a very difficult blow for them to take.”
Lingard notched nine goals and five assists to reignite his faltering career during a six-month loan spell with West Ham last term.
However, the England international has played just 273 minutes of football for Man United this term.
In other news, West Ham narrow their striker search down to two young guns as Moyes takes charge.