West Ham 'will NOT be bullied by Manchester United into including Declan Rice in any deal for Jesse Lingard... despite Old Trafford chiefs preparing £80m package to sign the England star'

  • Jesse Lingard has scored six West Ham goals since joining on loan in January 
  • The Hammers are keen to sign the Manchester United loanee permanently 
  • The Athletic reported United are interested in a swap deal including Declan Rice 
  • But The Sun claim West Ham will not consider letting their star midfielder go 

West Ham have issued a hands-off warning to Manchester United for Declan Rice in negotiations to make Jesse Lingard's loan move permanent, according to reports.

Lingard has enjoyed a successful loan spell at the London Stadium after joining in January, scoring six goals and providing four assists in just eight games, and the Hammers are exploring the possibility of keeping him.

The Athletic reported earlier this week that the Red Devils are therefore keen to discuss a swap deal involving Lingard and Rice, in order to persuade the Hammers into selling their star man.

West Ham will reportedly not include Declan Rice in any permanent move for Manchester United loanee Jesse Lingard

West Ham will reportedly not include Declan Rice in any permanent move for Manchester United loanee Jesse Lingard

Lingard has impressed on loan at the Hammers and the club are reportedly keen to make the deal permanent

Lingard has impressed on loan at the Hammers and the club are reportedly keen to make the deal permanent

But The Sun claim the Hammers have no intention of the 22-year-old England star being part of any transfer conversations in the summer, and will not be bullied by their Premier League counterparts into selling their vice-captain.


The report adds Old Trafford chiefs have considered brokering an £80million package for Rice, with his current club and international team-mate Lingard used as a makeweight in that proposal.

The same outlet adds United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to add the Chelsea academy product to the base of his midfield in his bid to make his side capable of challenging for next season's Premier League title.

Moyes has previously said that it would take 'Bank of England' money for a club to sign Rice.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is said to be eyeing Rice as an ideal fit for the base of his midfield

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is said to be eyeing Rice as an ideal fit for the base of his midfield

But The Sun claim David Moyes and Hammers chiefs will not be bullied into selling him

But The Sun claim David Moyes and Hammers chiefs will not be bullied into selling him

Rice has put in some excellent performances for West Ham this season in their push to qualify for next season's Champions League, but will miss the next six weeks with a knee ligament injury.

The Sun also report West Ham may not have it all their own way when it comes to acquiring Lingard on a permanent basis, with London rivals Arsenal also interested.

They claim the Gunners enquired about the 28-year-old's availability prior to his loan move to east London, but add it was knocked back with United expecting Mikel Arteta's men to rival them for a Champions League spot.

The north London side could also meet Lingard's £110,000-a-week wages, while Serie A side Roma - who have former United centre-back Chris Smalling among their ranks - also hold an interest. 

Lingard's form since joining the Hammers saw him recalled to the international squad in Gareth Southgate's most recent England squad, for the first time since the summer of 2019.

They also claim Mikel Arteta's Arsenal will rival the Hammers to sign 28-year-old Lingard

They also claim Mikel Arteta's Arsenal will rival the Hammers to sign 28-year-old Lingard