Man Utd winger Jesse Lingard isn’t keen on being included as a makeweight in a potential transfer for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, according to reports.
Lingard’s form during his time with the Hammers on loan last season saw him briefly regain his place in the England squad under Gareth Southgate.
The Man Utd loanee scored nine goals and contributed four assists in 16 league matches for West Ham, while he also landed the Premier League player of the month award for April.
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But it remains to be seen whether the Hammers can bring the 28-year-old midfielder back to the London Stadium in the long term.
Speaking about Lingard’s future back in May, West Ham boss Moyes said: “I am not actually sure how realistic it is. Obviously, I think Jesse has enjoyed himself, I hope he has… we have enjoyed having him and he is Manchester United’s player so they can decide what to do with him – and if they want to let him go then let’s hope he would consider us as one of his options.
“We have enjoyed having him and I am sure he has enjoyed being here as well, he is getting a lot of accolades and is back in the England squad.
“I hope he goes on to make the Euros and in time we will find out if Jesse is going to be a Manchester United player or if he will play for somebody else.”
And ESPN has now claimed that Lingard ‘would not be keen to be used as a makeweight in any negotiations to bring Rice to Old Trafford’.
Man Utd see Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga as ‘a more realistic target than’ the West Ham midfielder.
The report adds: ‘Rice has so far declined to sign a new contract at West Ham but with a deal until at least 2024, he is still valued at more than £80m.’
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said back in April that the club hope to welcome Lingard back into the fold in pre-season.
On his loan spell at West Ham, the Man Utd boss said in April: “Jesse has been brilliant since he left and I’ve answered this quite a few times,” Ole told reporters at his pre-Granada press conference.
“Selfishly, we could have kept him because he’s always got a part to play, he’s a fantastic lad around the place, Man United through and through, never once did he moan or cause me a problem, he just worked really hard.
“He deserved a chance to play for more football – that’s why we let him go to West Ham because he deserves a chance for what he’s done throughout his life for Man United. Of course, we [will] welcome him back.”