West Ham coach Stuart Pearce has confirmed that the club are still interested in signing Jesse Lingard.
The Manchester United forward is into the final six months of his contract and, without a single Premier League start this season to his name, is expected to leave Old Trafford after more than 20 years of service.
The only way United could realistically get any sort of fee for Lingard at this point is through a loan deal for the rest of the season, which MEN Sport understands is a possibility before next Monday's deadline.
Any deal would have to cover all of Lingard's wages (worth roughly £100,000-per-week) however, which could result in demands for a fee being dropped, as it has in Anthony Martial's impending move to Sevilla.
Newcastle hold a genuine interest in Lingard and Pearce, David Moyes' assistant, has confirmed that West Ham would still like to bring him back to the London Stadium following last season's successful loan stint.
"Jesse is a commodity that is not playing for his football club that would be a benefit to a lot of clubs in the Premier League, that would be my personal opinion. Our [club] is certainly one of them, there is no doubt," Pearce told talkSPORT
"Everyone is aware that we tried to get Jesse back again last summer and that will continue probably in this window as well but that is down to Jesse.
"Jesse has six months of his contract left, he will decide and Manchester Untied more importantly will decide what his future is for the next six months."
Despite scoring nine goals and creating five assists in 16 games last season for the Hammers, Lingard hasn't been given a proper chance while back at United and has played just 273 minutes of football.
As a result, the 29-year-old has lost his spot in the England squad after fighting hard to earn it back and Pearce admits that has been sad to see.
"I always feel it is a real shame when a player of that talent is probably not playing regularly. Especially his contribution when he came and joined us and had a wonderful six months and got himself back in the England fold as well, so it has helped Gareth [Southgate] as well," he added.
"Listen, I will be delighted if he goes and plays, wherever he goes and plays. If he turns up at West Ham over the next four days it will be utopia. If he goes and plays anywhere else in the Premier League I will still be pleased back seeing him play again."
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