Jesse Lingard’s rumoured move back to East London has reportedly cost West Ham thousands of pounds in accommodation and travel whilst he trained with the squad.

The Hammers put Lingard in a hotel for multiple weeks and arranged transport for the winger to get to training due to his current six-month ban from driving after he plead guilty to failing to name the driver of his car whilst speeding last year.

Lingard trained with West Ham for numerous weeks and even played in a friendly behind closed doors against Ipswich Town, with belief that the club would offer him a short-term contract. 

However, it looks like both parties could not come to an agreement, and Lingard would later travel to Saudi Arabia in order to train with Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq instead, leaving West Ham fans to wonder “what if” for yet another year.

Jesse Lingard joined the Hammers on loan in the winter transfer window of 2021, hoping to reignite his career following his fall at Manchester United. An incredible run of form for the once hailed “Messi Lingard” would see him contribute to 14 goals in just 16 games, as well as being pivotal in West Ham reaching European football.