Jesse Lingard is reportedly considering a massive £10 million-a-year offer from Saudi Arabia after becoming a free agent.
The 29-year-old left boyhood club Manchester United following 22 years of association when his contract expired at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
Lingard has attracted interest from plenty of clubs and has a surprise suitor from Saudi Arabia, who are prepared to offer him a hefty salary that would be a significant increase on his United wage.
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According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, the England international is reviewing the proposal and the other options he has on the table.
Lingard's former United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo is said to have rejected a mammoth £210 million offer from an unnamed side in Saudi Arabia despite wanting out at Old Trafford.
Everton are monitoring Lingard's situation, while it's claimed he will not be moving to the MLS despite some talk of a potential reunion with Wayne Rooney, now D.C United manager.
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West Ham remain interested and reportedly started talks over bringing Lingard back to the London Stadium last month.
After failing to make a single Premier League appearance for United, Lingard spent the second half of the 2021/22 campaign on loan at the Irons and flourished.
He scored nine goals and registered five assists in 16 appearances and got himself back in the England squad following a lengthy spell out.
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Many felt as though he would head to the East London side on a permanent fee but he instead remained at United, where he started just two games in his final season.
Former England defender Stuart Pearce, who has worked with Lingard during his time as a Hammers coach, feels joining West Ham would be the perfect move.
"Speaking from experience of working with Jesse, he’s a fantastic kid to work with," he said on talkSPORT.
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"Physically very good. He hadn’t played much football when he came to West Ham, and he was one of the fittest when he arrived. He’s naturally physically talented and he works hard on his fitness as well.
“A great kid to work with, he was wonderful for West Ham and I’m just a little bit disappointed he didn’t think to himself, ‘I need to be hell bent on getting back to West Ham’.
“He seemed to be really enjoying his football at West Ham, he enjoyed the environment, he enjoyed the people around him. He’s a good boy and great to have around the building, he always had a smile on his face.
“If I was in Jesse’s position, or any player in his position, he hasn’t played a lot for Manchester United and was out of contract, I would want my next contract with a new club signed and sorted before I become a free agent."
Topics: Jesse Lingard, Manchester United, West Ham United
Josh Lawless