West Ham qualifying for the Champions League could help them get a deal over the line for Jesse Lingard this summer, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.

Lingard's club future is currently uncertain as he enters the final months of his contract at Manchester United.

What's the latest news involving Lingard?

The 29-year-old's deal at Old Trafford is set to expire in June, and he has previously turned down the opportunity to extend his stay at his boyhood club.

Lingard was linked with a move to West Ham and Newcastle in January, but neither transfer materialised in the end as United opted to keep hold of the midfielder.

It seems that he will finally leave the Red Devils for good this summer, though, and West Ham could renew their interest in him.

Erik ten Hag TALKS Man United job! Hear more on The Football Terrace...

What has O'Rourke said about Lingard potentially rejoining West Ham?

Lingard had a loan spell at the London Stadium in the second half of the 2020/21 season, and he thrived under David Moyes, scoring nine goals for the Irons.

Having already spent time at the club, O'Rourke thinks Lingard would be keen to return to West Ham, and he has claimed they could gain an extra advantage in their pursuit of the 32-cap international if they earn a place in Europe's elite club competition.

O'Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “I think for Jesse Lingard, if West Ham are playing in the Champions League next season – extra incentive for him to make that move to the London Stadium. I think that gives West Ham the edge over other Premier League clubs and foreign clubs if it does come down to it.

“I think they should be in pole position to get Jesse Lingard if it comes down to a personal decision rather than anything else to decide where Lingard moves after he leaves Manchester United.”

Will West Ham finally sign Lingard permanently this summer?

West Ham were also heavily linked with Lingard last summer, yet he has ended up spending another season at United.

It has been a frustrating campaign for Lingard, who has largely sat on the sidelines for the past eight months.

Meanwhile, West Ham may also wish that they'd pushed through a deal for the attacking midfielder at the start of the season as this could have allowed Moyes to rotate his squad a little more during his team's busiest periods.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Lingard is still weighing up his options, suggesting that he has not made a concrete decision on his future yet.

However, if West Ham do step up their interest in Lingard, they may finally get their man, now that they will no longer have to negotiate with United.