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Jesse Lingard stance shared as Everton interested in free agent transfer
Everton are interested in signing free-agent Jesse Lingard but his preference is to join West Ham United should he remain in England, according to 90Min.
The online outlet report (14 September) that both the Toffees and Burnley are interested in the Warrington-born forward but if he stays in England it will be to join West Ham.
The 30-year-old has been training with the Hammers for a number of weeks to maintain his fitness levels and has also received offers from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and MLS.
Lingard could still be tempted abroad should West Ham choose not to sign him, however, with 90Min sources sharing that more lucrative offers are on the table despite the added Premier League interest from Everton.
West Ham more attractive
Given Everton’s financial situation and desperate need for more attacking reinforcements following Demarai Gray’s exit and signing Lingard for free makes a lot of sense as they also did with Ashley Young following the end of his deal at Aston Villa.
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The England international endured a tough spell in the Midlands, failing to prove why Nottingham Forest paid him the big wages to make him one of their marquee 2022 summer acquisitions last season.
The Toffees, despite adding Arnaut Danjuma, Beto and Yousseff Chermiti to their ranks, are still in desperate need of attacking invention in behind those players and Lingard has proven a useful forward foil in the past.
However, West Ham certainly seems the more attractive option right now given their placing in the Europa League and the chance to battle amongst the division’s elite this season, while playing with elite players.
Everton don’t have that luxury yet as they try to navigate away from a third relegation battle in a row and Lingard won’t be pleased with such conditions as he endured them at Forest last year.
If the Toffees can locate an alternative free transfer then they should definitely explore it but a move for Lingard seems an impossible stretch, even if he doesn’t choose West Ham.
In other Everton news, Alan Myers has shared his stance on whether Everton will explore a free transfer opportunity to replace Demarai Gray.