By Alan Hutton

31st Jan, 2022 | 5:13pm

Jesse Lingard: Newcastle difficult to turn down after new West Ham bid update - pundit

Alan Hutton has suggested West Ham may need Jesse Lingard to snub a move to Newcastle United to seal a late loan deal from Manchester United.

The former Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 29-year-old would probably prefer a return to east London on a footballing basis.

As reported by the Athletic’s David Ornstein today (31 January), West Ham have tabled a loan bid which is better than the deal they agreed with Manchester United a year ago.

Hutton admitted Newcastle could blow the Irons away if it comes down to a bidding war.

He suggested Lingard may face a difficult decision of turning down the Magpies if he wants a return to West Ham.

Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “It wouldn’t surprise me if they have tried in the final week of the window. Maybe it just didn’t get out there. The bigger story is the Newcastle one.

“West Ham probably don’t want to get into a bidding war. That’s probably part of it.

“If you’re up against Newcastle, who are desperate for reinforcements, they’re just going to go over the top of you.

“Then it really comes down to the player and where he sees a better fit.

“Obviously West Ham are flying at the moment, going for a top-four finish. He would probably want to be involved in that as a football player.

“But if Newcastle are the ones stumping up the cash for him, it’s difficult to turn down.”

Lingard scored nine times and contributed five assists during his loan spell at the London Stadium last season.

He has since started just twice in 14 games for Manchester United.

In other news, West Ham have made a late approach for another Premier League attacker.