West Ham United target Jesse Lingard could be asking for between £150k and £200k-per-week to join David Moyes’ side this summer, according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook.
The former Manchester United midfielder is now a free agent, after leaving Old Trafford at the end of his contract this summer.
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What’s the latest on Lingard?
Lingard has reportedly flown out to the United States over the past week, to hear any proposals from MLS sides this summer, according to ESPN.
The same report also states that West Ham United and Everton are among the Premier League sides interested in bringing the 29-year-old to their clubs this summer.
Lingard has previously spent time on loan with the Irons, having made a big impression on both Moyes and fans alike during his time at the club.
But the £16.2m-rated man reportedly snubbed West Ham last summer in favour of earning a place in the Manchester United squad last season.
And Crook believes that Lingard will be asking for an extraordinary financial package to return to the London Stadium, ahead of August’s Premier League kick-off.
What has Crook said about Lingard?
He told GIVEMESPORT: “I've heard anywhere from £150k up to £200k-per-week. So £180k-per-week sounds about right, which I think they think is a lot for a 29-year-old, who actually didn't do a lot last season at United.”
Would Lingard be a good signing for West Ham?
Despite the astronomical wage demands, Lingard would definitely be a positive addition at the London Stadium this season, with Moyes balancing both Premier League and UEFA Europa Conference League football this campaign.
During his last spell at West Ham, the 32-time England international made 16 appearances during the second-half of the 2020/21 season, scoring nine goals and providing five assists, according to Transfermarkt.
Despite his lack of playing time at United last season, some of Lingard’s stats stand out, with the forward-minded midfielder ranking in the top 3% of attacking midfielders/wingers for pass completion rate per 90 minutes (85.8%), according to FBref.
The stats from last season also suggest that he is a hard-working attacking midfielder, ranking in the top 1% of attacking midfielders/wingers for pressures per 90 minutes (26.35), and in the top 4% for tackles per 90 (2.41), according to the same stats provider.
An average SofaScore rating of 6.64 for his performances in the Premier League last season suggest that the midfielder needs to be given more playing time to really hit his stride.
All things considered, West Ham and Moyes already know how much Lingard can offer at the London Stadium having witnessed his performances first hand, and they might be right to consider offering the attacking midfielder what he wants, even if his demands do seem excessive.