West Ham could miss out on signing Jesse Lingard from Manchester United this summer, with Hammers struggling to commit to on-loan star's £100,000 salary demands... and he may now return to Old Trafford for the final year of his contract

Jesse Lingard could start next season back at Manchester United because West Ham doubt they can find the funds to sign him on a permanent deal.

The England forward's loan spell at the London Stadium has been one of the stories of the season, with Lingard's form propelling the Hammers into contention for European qualification.

But with West Ham's income decimated by the pandemic, the club are unable to commit to the player's demands for a four-year contract worth in excess of £100,000-a-week.

But the Hammers may be unable to tie down the midfielder to a permanent deal this summer

Lingard did not play a single minute for United in the Premier League during the first half of the season but has been a revelation since joining West Ham in January, scoring nine goals in 13 appearances to secure a surprise return to the England squad.