West Ham will eventually wrap up a deal to sign Jesse Lingard, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.

David Moyes has been chasing his permanent services for more than 12 months and O'Rourke expects the Hammers boss to finally get his man following months of talks.

What's the latest news involving Lingard?

Ever since the England international enjoyed an exceptional loan spell at West Ham in the second half of the 2020-2021 season, the London Stadium always looked the most likely destination for the 29-year-old, who's scored 56 goals in his club career.

GiveMeSport Transfer Verdict

However, the capital club failed in their attempts last summer when Lingard opted to fight for his place at Old Trafford, before Manchester United stopped him from joining the Hammers in January.

But Lingard's Red Devils contract has since expired, meaning he's available to sign as a free agent and West Ham no longer need to negotiate with United.

And according to Sky Sports, the Irons have proposed an offer to the attacker's representatives as they look to continue their busy summer window having already signed Nayef Aguerd and Alphonse Areola.

Wages could prove an issue for the Londoners, with Newcastle withdrawing their interest due to Lingard's £150,000 per-week demands, but O'Rourke is confident that he'll eventually get his move to E20.

What did O'Rourke say about Lingard?

He told GIVEMESPORT: "You would expect this one to finally get done. Many people expected it to happen, but it's dragged on and dragged on.

"We all know Jesse Lingard had a great spell on loan at West Ham and David Moyes is a huge fan of him as well. He's now a free agent, so all roads point to West Ham now for Lingard, with other options seemingly gone away for Lingard as well."

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Will Lingard start for West Ham?

During his loan spell at West Ham, Lingard spent his time generally playing behind Michail Antonio with the occasional appearance on the left.

But all of his goals came when playing through the middle, and with the Hammers yet to strengthen in the central areas since Lingard's loan spell ended, it would appear to suggest that's where Moyes is planning on playing him.

Pablo Fornals spent much of last season in the deeper role, but he was nowhere near as effective as Lingard was 12 months earlier, scoring just four goals in his 21 appearances centrally, which means the ex-United star will fancy his chances of walking straight back into the team.