West Ham loanee Jesse Lingard pens emotional farewell message but leaves door open to a return

Jesse Lingard’s future remains uncertain as he heads back to Manchester United following a stunning loan spell with West Ham, but he leaves the door open to a return in an emotional goodbye message to the Hammers faithful. 

Having fallen to the periphery of the United squad under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a rejuvenated Lingard took the Premier League by storm after signing for the Hammers in January, with his nine goals and five assists in 16 games proving crucial as West Ham qualified for the Europa League. 

David Moyes has been vocal about his desire to extend Lingard’s stay, but the power is entirely in United’s hands, with one year remaining on the England international’s contract.  

After seamlessly slotting in at West Ham and guiding them to a top-six finish for the first time this century, Lingard has thanked the Hammers for giving him the all-important opportunity. 

‘What a way to end the season,’ Lingard wrote in an Instagram post.

‘Reaching our goal with this incredible group of lads feels amazing! We pushed hard and never gave up! 

‘I feel so lucky to have been able to come into such a welcoming environment, everyone connected with the club has shown me just how special this club is.

‘So thank you to the gaffer who had the belief in bringing me here. Thank you to all the staff that made it so easy for me to settle and embed into the club so quickly. Thank you to the coaches who helped me find my true self back on the pitch.

‘Thank you to the fans who supported me from the second I arrived, It was amazing being able to play in front of you on the last day!

‘And thank you to a special group of lads, as well as making some new lifelong friends training and playing with you all has been one of the highlights of my career!

‘Whatever the future holds West Ham United will hold a special place in my heart!’

Lingard’s next step is now likely to be a major story in the upcoming transfer window, with The Sun reporting West Ham are fearful that United may block a move for the midfielder. 

Prior to their crucial final-day victory over Southampton, Moyes insisted he remained hopeful Lingard would return, but admitted it is out of his hands.  

‘I couldn’t say any more than I’m hopeful Jesse might want to come here,’ he said. ‘That’s up to Manchester United, but he’s been a positive signing.’

Any deal will likely not take place until mid-July at the earliest, however, assuming Lingard is named in England’s 26-man squad for the upcoming European Championships. 

The 28-year-old has been included in Gareth Southgate’s provisional 33-man squad, which will be reduced to 26 on June 1.

And Southgate, while conceding he will not stop any deals from occurring, believes no transfers will take place until after the completion of the tournament. 

He said: ‘We are not going to stop phone ringing and cannot control conversations going on in private.

‘But I think most deals are done at the end of tournaments or in the first week after the end of the season, I would expect any deals to be done after the tournament.’

One player who Lingard will play alongside should he travel with England is Declan Rice, who insists the midfielder will be sorely missed at West Ham. 

Commenting on Lingard’s Instagram post, he wrote: ‘This is emotional brother! [An] absolute pleasure to share the pitch and changing room with you again! You’re going to be missed massively mate.’