Carlton Cole urges West Ham to complete move for Jesse Lingard

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Carlton Cole has told TalkSPORT (Wednesday, 8.14am) that Jesse Lingard can take West Ham United to the next level if the Hammers complete a reported pursuit for Manchester United outcast Jesse Lingard this month.

Lingard, 28, has been ostracised by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford this season – and has now entered the final six months of his £100,000-a-week (Athletic) contract with United. The Athletic claim West Ham are interested.

They claim the Hammers are in talks with United, but that the latter want a considerable loan fee for the England midfielder – even though it would see Lingard play his last game for the club. It remains to be seen if an agreement can be found.

West Brom, Newcastle United, Sheffield United and even Andre Villas-Boas’ Marseille are interested. But West Ham are leading the way for Lingard – and Cole thinks he would be a good signing for the Hammers, and has the ability to take them forward.

“Yeah, I don’t think he’d go to West Brom in a relegation battle,” Cole said. “He would prefer to go to West Ham. Getting these sort of players on loan, Lingard is a quality player. He has not had the game time, but he can push West Ham to the next level.”

TBR’s view – Does Lingard move spell trouble for Lanzini?

Manuel Lanzini is not the player he was before suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury before the 2018 World Cup. The ex-River Plate man has shown glimpses – his rocket against Tottenham earlier this season – but he is not the same.

He still contributes at the London Stadium, offering quality as a decent squad member – but he is past the peak of his career. If West Ham complete a move for Lingard, surely Lanzini’s game time will reduce and ultimately could look for a move.