West Ham United should not consider signing long-term transfer target Jesse Lingard if he does not reduce his wage demands.
The Hammers have once again been heavily linked with signing Lingard on a free transfer, following his departure from Manchester United last month.
The England international has reportedly been offered several contracts from a variety of clubs, including Premier League newcomers Nottingham Forest.
West Ham themselves have submitted several contract offers over the past few months, but the playmaker is yet to make a decision on his future.
Following a very successful, six-month spell with the Hammers from January 2021, Lingard has struggled to find regular game time and has now only started two Premier League matches since returning to Manchester.
However, reports have suggested that the attacking midfielder is requesting up to £180k in weekly wages, including bonuses, which are demands that are far too high for the Hammers.
Despite his potential to be a valuable addition to the squad, and his necessary experience in the top flight, Lingard is coming up to 30 years of age and will soon be reaching past his career peak.
His playmaking abilities and goalscoring habits are certainly traits that would be useful under David Moyes, having scored nine goals and produced five assists in 16 appearances when he was on loan in east London.
However, despite this, he has played very little over the past year and there are certainly cheaper options and better investments available in the transfer market at the moment.
Lingard has been delaying his choice for a new club for far too long and West Ham fans are beginning to grow frustrated with his lack of commitment towards joining the Hammers.
Now that he has requested for a wage increase it is likely that many supporters, and David Moyes, will want the club to reject his demands and look elsewhere this summer.
Lingard would be a good addition to the squad, but if he cannot show any desire to join the club during this transfer window then West Ham should not give in to his high wage demands and focus their attention on other possibilities.
