As the transfer window nears its end West Ham's chances of bringing Jesse Lingard back to the club increase.
That is according to reports in The Times, which claim the Hammers retain an interest in the attacking-midfielder who is still considering all his options.
Lingard enjoyed a hugely successful loan spell at West Ham last season but has returned to Manchester United to fight for a spot at his boyhood club.
The 28-year-old was involved in a number of pre-season matches but after testing positive for covid-19 sat out the opening weekend of Premier League action as United thrashed Leeds 5-1.
According to The Times, Lingard will consider leaving Old Trafford if he believes he will not feature regularly in the starting XI for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team.
The England international's preference is to remain with the club he joined as a seven-year-old but he is aware that if he is not playing regular football then his chances of returning to Gareth Southgate's set-up are slim. This could be the deciding factor in where his future lies.
West Ham remain keen on bringing Lingard back to the club with assistant coach Stuart Pearce clear he is still very much a wanted man at the Hammers.
David Moyes confirmed at the end of last season he would welcome Lingard back at the club, but has since kept his silence on the matter, however, Pearce's comments on talkSPORT were a clear indication of the club's stance.
"We would like him to come and join us. That has been an open secret. He was wonderful last year," Pearce said.
Lingard has entered into the final year of his Manchester United contract, with the Red Devils currently holding out for a £25 million transfer fee, a figure currently deemed too steep by West Ham.
Manchester United have two fixtures before the end of the transfer window and how heavily involved Lingard is could go a long way into shaping where his future lies.
