West Ham are monitoring Jesse Lingard with the player aiming to earn a contract at the club.

With many West Ham players heading off to represent their countries in the 2023 AFCON, Jesse Lingard may be an important addition to the team.

This seasons Premier League teams will have to submit their squads by September 13th, but West Ham still seem unsure of whether they will sign former Hammer Lingard.

Lingard has spent the last few weeks in training at Rush Green and has been uploading pictures of him in West Ham training wear to his socials recently.

The midfielder was a key player during his six-month loan spell with West Ham in 2021. But things turned sour when Lingard turned down a permanent offer at West Ham and instead moved to Nottingham Forrest after revealing he “did not feel the love” at West Ham.

After leaving Nottingham Forrest at the end of last season, Lingard became a free agent and was spotted at West Ham’s training ground with the intention of wanting to join the east London Club.

But it was later reported that despite the offer from DC United in the MLS had fallen through, Saudi clubs, Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and now Wolves are all interested in the player.

Said Benrahma and new signing Mohammed Kudus will both be involved in January’s AFCON games, leaving gaps in the midfield. Lingard may be a vital addition and may push West Ham to sign him. ExWHUEmployee also confirmed that the midfielder will be included in the squad that will play a friendly game today behind closed doors.

The player will be able to be submitted to the Premier League squad, however Lingard has not been added to the 25 names on the list submitted for West Ham’s Europa League group stage squad.

The main concerns were around Lingard’s fitness and West Ham Boss, David Moyes has said –

“Jesse’s doing quite well and he’s getting his shape back,” Moyes added. ““But there will be no discussion on Jesse yet. When we’re ready, we will do; but he’s working hard and he’s shown a great attitude to his work.”

“It’s taken a bit of time to get him back into condition.”

Luckily the international break will give the player some time to build his fitness up before West Ham make their final decision.

Written by Katie Vine