West Ham's chances of signing Manchester United attacker Jesse Lingard are reducing with every passing week, according to Daily Star journalist Paul Brown.

David Moyes' side have been linked with the £18m-rated England international for several windows, but Brown fears the Hammers' hopes of convincing him to return to the London Stadium are hanging in the balance.

What's the latest news involving Lingard?

Lingard's future at Old Trafford has been up in the air for the last couple of transfer windows, although it was finally confirmed last week that he would finally be leaving his boyhood club following months of uncertainty.

GiveMeSport Transfer Verdict

GiveMeSport Transfer Verdict

West Ham remain interested in the 29-year-old's services and can sign him on a free once his Red Devils contract expires later this month.

But Lingard's wages could be proving an issue for the Hammers, with Newcastle, who are the richest club in world football, recently ending their pursuit following his £150,000 per-week demands.

Lingard is no closer to deciding over his next club, but Brown is concerned over West Ham's chances right now.

What did Brown say about Lingard?

He told GIVEMESPORT: "I'm starting to think that the longer this goes on, the less chance there is of Jesse Lingard ending up at West Ham.

"It's a move he could have made several times over in the last year, and the fact it hasn't happened yet would suggest that he's holding out for possibly a better deal somewhere else, and I don't think West Ham are in a position to offer him the same kind of money that other clubs might."

Ousmane Dembele WILL WIN BALLON D'OR at Chelsea! Hear more on The Football Terrace...

How much does Lingard currently earn at Manchester United?

Despite Lingard being little more than a bit part player at United for the best part of two seasons, the England international is still paid well by his boyhood club.

When he last signed a new long-term deal at Old Trafford, he was an important player under Jose Mourinho and was rewarded with a significant pay rise back in 2017.

Lingard has signed an extension since then, but it only saw a one-year option triggered in his contract, meaning his wages weren't increased.

Therefore, Lingard currently earns £100,000 per-week, which means that he takes home more than £5m per year.