According to Sky Sports (via Calciomercato), Nice are interested in signing on-loan West Ham star Jesse Lingard this summer.
Nice eye Lingard
Lingard made the move to the Hammers on loan in the winter transfer window and has impressed in east London, managing nine goals and four assists in 12 games for the club (Transfermarkt).
The Irons want to sign him permanently in the summer from Manchester United (Daily Mail), but it now seems that French club Nice are also eager to capture his services.
Unlikely
Nice have the finances to complete such a deal. British businessman James Ratcliffe is the club’s owner, and according to Forbes he has a net worth of $16.6bn (£12bn). The club is also situated in a picturesque setting on the French Riviera, making it an attractive destination.
However, London is also a desirable location and, from a sporting point of view, there is no reason why Lingard would select Nice over West Ham. The Hammers are currently fifth in the Premier League and are well in contention for European football next term, while Nice are languishing in 10th place in Ligue 1 and will not be playing continental football in 2021/22.
Also, the French top flight lacks the prestige of the Premier League, so while there is no guarantee that Lingard will remain at the London Stadium, West Ham are unlikely to lose out on him to Nice.
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In other news, many West Ham fans want this man signed in the summer.