West Ham United could have the last laugh as Jesse Lingard in wage dispute with Saudi club
West Ham could have the last laugh in the ongoing saga with Jesse Lingard, as the player is currently in a wage dispute with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq over his demands, according to talkSPORT.
The digital media outlet shared via their website on 25 September that there is still work to do before Lingard seals his move to the side managed by Steven Gerrard, with his £7million wage demands not met by the club.
It is reported that Al-Ettifaq are aiming their budget closer to £4.35million when it comes to Lingard’s potential contract, leading to a disagreement over the terms on offer.
While it is still reported that Gerrard is keen on adding the former England international to his squad, and the same goes the other way with Lingard wanting the Saudi move, there seems to be potential that this deal may not happen after all.
This would bring a smile to the faces of West Ham fans, who are now sick of Lingard’s antics. He had been training at Rush Green for over a month, with a view to earning himself a contract and improving his fitness, but ultimately it seems the Saudi option was always his preferred route.
West Ham had reportedly been paying for Lingard’s accommodation, transport and food as well as providing him with the facilities to continue his fitness work.
The fans were already questioning whether they could ignore their doubts over the player, after he turned down a return to the London Stadium in favour of moving to Nottingham Forest, who had allegedly offered more money, despite having a fantastic loan spell with the Hammers.
David Moyes was asked about his view on the transfer situation and simply replied: “No disappointment at all (that Lingard is training with Al-Ettifaq). I’m quite comfortable and more than relaxed with it. We like Jesse a lot but I just don’t know if we need another player in his position.”
