In the January transfer window of 2021, David Moyes pulled off a masterstroke by signing Jesse Lingard on loan from Manchester United. He scored nine goals with five assists in 16 games for the Hammers. His form was instrumental in helping West Ham to finish sixth and qualify for the Europa League.
Lingard did not join West Ham permanently and instead stuck it out for another season with the Red Devils. He even scored the winner against the Hammers for United, but did the appropriate thing of not celebrating.
When his contract expired at United, he had the option to join West Ham. However, he chose Nottingham Forest, and that decision turned out to be disastrous. He played 17 times for Forest in the Premier League without scoring or making an assist.
After leaving Forest, Lingard went on to play for FC Seoul in the K League 1. He is now a free agent and looking for his next club. He was rumored to be on West Ham's radar in January, but a move did not come to fruition.
Where does Jesse Lingard's career go from here?
It would have been very desperate for West Ham to have signed Lingard. He was very good for the Hammers five years ago, but he has not played at the highest level for a couple of seasons. We will never know how good he could have been for West Ham had he joined the club permanently after his loan. His decision to join Forest instead after leaving United must still play on his mind.
The Daily Mail has reported that "Feyenoord are among the clubs to have made contact over free agent former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard."
Feyenoord is managed by Lingard's former United teammate Robin van Persie. Lingard was a young player at United when he played with Van Persie. However, the free agent is now 33 and may only have a couple of seasons left before he retires.
The Dutch side is currently second in the Eredivisie, behind the runaway leaders PSV Eindhoven. It is difficult to say how Lingard would come back in Europe. The Eredivisie is not one of European soccer's top leagues, but it would still be a step up from the K League 1.
Lingard was effective in South Korea, scoring 19 goals with 10 assists in 67 games for Seoul. What the player will bring to a new club, more than anything, is now experience.