Jesse Lingard is taking up a trial period at Al Ettifaq after heading to Saudi without the club’s knowledge, it has been reported by ExWHUEmployee.

The former Manchester United midfielder has been training with West Ham over the last few weeks in a bid to earn a contract at the club, although it appears the player has grown frustrated at the time it has taken to progress.

“It appears that Jesse Lingard could be about to take up a trial period with Steven Gerrad’s Saudi team Al Ettifaq,” Ex reported on The West Ham Way Patreon.

“This would be quite a turn around as it appears both West Ham and the manager David Moyes when speaking about this earlier had no idea. Although our source earlier stressed  that they didn’t see a place for him at the club, which Lingard may have become aware of.”

The move from Lingard to head to Saudi is understood to have taken Moyes and the club by complete surprise.

The fact that the club were only prepared to offer the midfielder a short term deal on reduced wages may have played a factor in his decision.

Ex will keep fans up to date on the situation as it develops on Patreon.