David Moyes insists West Ham did all they could to bring Jesse Lingard back to the club this summer.
Upon the expiration of the 29-year-old’s contract at Manchester United, a return to east London seemed an obvious move for a player eager to work his way back into the England set-up ahead of the World Cup.
Lingard scored 9 goals in 16 games for the club during a loan spell two seasons ago and had remained a target, although ultimately it was Nottingham Forest who swooped in.
The move has been criticised in some quarters and the pair are set to meet on Sunday when Moyes takes his side to the City Ground for the first top-flight game at one of England’s most iconic grounds in over twenty years.
Moyes has admitted there was a belief Lingard would re-join West Ham and, speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, the Scot offered some further insight.
“We pushed the boat out to try and get him, but we didn’t get him,” he said.
“He chose Nottingham Forest, that’s Jesse’s choice and not ours.
“It’s no failing on the club that we didn’t get him.”
