West Ham boss David Moyes opens up on Jesse Lingard’s future with the ex-Man United star linked with a return as the free agent continues to train with the Hammers after Nottingham Forest exit

• David Moyes is yet to rule out a sensational move for free agent Jesse Lingard 
• He admitted that Lingard is close to full fitness after training with the Hammers
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off! 

West Ham boss David Moyes opened up on the possibility of Jesse Lingard returning to the London Stadium, with the former Manchester United midfielder currently a free agent. 

Lingard spent the second half of the 2021-22 season on loan at the Hammers, and quickly endeared himself to the fans with a string of stellar performances that saw him hit the back of the net nine times in 16 games. 

With his time at United coming to a close at the end of that season, there was an expectation that he might return to east London permanently, only for the England international to sign a big-money one-year deal with Nottingham Forest instead. 

Now, having left the City Ground, Lingard has spent the last three weeks training with his former club, leading to speculation that he may be in line for a new deal.  

‘Jesse has trained with us for three weeks and he’s improved greatly from when he first came in,’ Moyes told talkSPORT on Tuesday. 

Jesse Lingard spent the latter half of 2021-22 on loan at West Ham, scoring nine times in 16 games

David Moyes (left) admitted that Lingard has come on leaps and bounds since training with the Hammers

Lingard is currently a free agent after being released by Nottingham Forest in the summer

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‘He’s in really good condition – much better condition than he was when he first came in.

‘I have to say, when Jesse joined us two years ago I think he scored nine goals in 15 games and was probably the difference between us getting into Europe for the first time.

‘I want to give him every opportunity to get himself back in condition and see how he does.

‘So there’s no real update on it at the moment, just to say that he’s back and getting much closer to the levels of fitness where you’d hope he would be.’

Moyes has been quick to praise Lingard’s efforts in training in recent days, although he has failed to rule out a return completely. 

The 30-year-old in fact featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Ipswich during the international break, although no footage was released from the fixture as a result of a pre-determined agreement between the two clubs.

West Ham have made a brilliant start to the 2023-24 campaign, currently sat in fourth after three wins and a draw. 

‘It’s been a brilliant start for us,’ added Moyes.

Moyes’ side have been in fantastic form at the start of the season, winning three and drawing just one in the Premier League

‘We only finished on June 7, we gave the boys extra time off.

‘We had booked a trip to Australia which meant we only had three days back before we flew to Australia. So in truth our pre-season was really bog average compared to what you’d maybe expect. But in football you never know how it’s going to work.

‘We got some players in a bit later but the boys that have come in have been great and the way we have started has given us real confidence – we have won a couple of really big games.’

The Hammers will next play on Saturday, when they welcome the reigning champions – and the team sat top of the table already – Manchester City to the London Stadium. 

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

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