West Ham interest in £150k-a-week star has 'never gone away' at London Stadium | OneFootball

West Ham United ‘might be reluctant’ to match the wage demands of attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard, according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook.

The Manchester United ace is set to depart his boyhood club on a free transfer following the conclusion of the current campaign and is not expected to be short of potential suitors.

What is the latest news involving Lingard?

Lingard has endured an extremely frustrating campaign at Old Trafford, playing just 548 minutes of first-team action throughout 2021/22, starting just four games in all competitions.

Despite his lack of action, the Red Devils’ hierarchy refused to sanction his departure in January following offers from West Ham, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.

However, Lingard will become a free agent at the beginning of July, giving him the freedom to choose his next destination.

And according to The Mirror, both the Hammers and the Magpies have retained an interest in the England international while Serie A trio AS Roma, AC Milan and Juventus have also entered the running.

The report claims that Lingard could be in line to pick up around £150,000-per-week on his next contract as the 29-year-old goes in search of one last big payday.

What has Downie said about Lingard?

Lingard enjoyed a successful loan spell at West Ham last term, and Downie claims the capital club’s interest in him ‘has never really gone away’ but has doubts over whether they would be willing to meet his wage requests.

He told GiveMeSport: “Their interest has never gone away, but I think he’s already priced himself out of a move to Newcastle with his wage demands.

“And I think maybe West Ham might be reluctant to give him the £150,000 a week that he reportedly wants.”

Is Lingard worth £150,000-per-week?

In just 16 Premier League appearances for the London Stadium outfit last season, Lingard registered a remarkable nine goals and five assists, firing West Ham to a sixth-placed finish.

Returning to east London on a permanent basis as a free agent would also allow the versatile attacker to demand more wages as the Irons’ hierarchy would not have to splash out on a transfer fee.

Nevertheless, handing Lingard a £150,000-per-week deal would make him West Ham’s highest earner, potentially upsetting the dressing room.

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Key players such as Jarrod Bowen and Declan Rice may feel aggrieved by the decision, potentially unsettling the harmonious atmosphere that David Moyes has worked so hard to create.

Therefore, West Ham must think carefully before committing such an outlay on a player who has just three goal contributions to his name this season.