West Ham assistant manager Stuart Pearce claims there would be 'utopia' surrounding the Hammers if they manage to sign Jesse Lingard 'in the next four days.'
The Hammers assistant did not play down their interest in the Manchester United midfielder, who enjoyed a stellar loan spell at the London Stadium last season.
Newcastle have spent the majority of the month locked in negotiations with the Red Devils over a potential loan move for Lingard.
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Ralf Rangnick was keen on keeping the England international at the club, but with his contract set to expire in the summer, Man United could cash in on the midfielder after he turned down a new deal.
Nonetheless, the Red Devils would be reluctant to sell to West Ham, given they're now direct rivals for one of the European places.
“There is no doubt that Jesse is a commodity, who isn’t playing for his football club, that could be a huge benefit to a lot of clubs in the Premier League," Pearce told TalkSPORT.
“Ours is certainly one of them, there is no doubt. Everyone is aware that we tried to get Jesse back again last summer.
“That will continue, probably, in this window as well. But it’s down to Jesse. He’s got six months left on his contract. He’ll decide and Manchester United, more importantly, will decide what his future is for the next six months.
“I always feel as though it’s a real shame when a player of that talent is not playing regularly.
“Especially after his contribution when he joined us for six months and got himself back in the England fold. It’s helped Gareth [Southgate] as well.
“I’ll be delighted if he goes and plays, wherever he goes and plays. If he turns up at West Ham over the next three of four days, it’ll be utopia.
“If he goes and plays anywhere else in the Premier League, I’ll still be pleased to see him playing.”
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Pearce admitted it would be tough for the Hammers to do any business with Manchester United this month, he said: “There is that potential. Hopefully they see us as one of their competitors, potentially.
“Next summer, he’s a free agent and he can go wherever he wants. It looks as though, from the outside, that’s what he’s angling at doing: running his contract down and leaving on a Bosman next summer to whatever destination he wants.
“I’m sure there will be a lot of suitors.”
