West Ham United coach Stuart Pearce has made it clear that the club still wants to sign Jesse Lingard, although he admits the ball is in Manchester United's court.
After struggling for minutes under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Lingard left United for West Ham on loan in January and put in a string of excellent displays, scoring nine times and adding five assists in just 16 games.
It was expected that the forward would return to the London Stadium this summer, with his route to the United starting XI looking even tougher following the signing of Jadon Sancho, and the Hammers made it clear they wanted him back.
However, a move has not come to fruition with Lingard putting in some good displays in pre-season and looking set to stay for the final year of his contract.
But Pearce has reiterated West Ham's desire to see the 28-year-old return to his club.
"We would like him to come and join us. That has been an open secret. He was wonderful last year," Pearce told TalkSport.
“The ball is in Manchester United’s court. He is contracted to them. We would like him with us, there is no doubt about that.
“He’s a special lad and was very good around the players – the players really like him.
“His ability shone out last year and gave us a great option in our squad. You never know, but at this moment in time it looks like he is fighting for a place in the United line-up.”
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