Jesse Lingard appears to finally confirm next club after Man Utd exit

Jesse Lingard has dropped a major hint that he is on the verge of re-joining West Ham with a mischievous Instagram post.

Lingard is a free agent after ending his 22-year association with Manchester United earlier this summer. The 29-year-old came through the ranks at Old Trafford after joining the club at the age of eight, but had loan stints at various clubs; including West Ham, where he became an instant hit with Hammers fans.

The attacker only spent six-months in east London but still managed to plunder nine goals in 16 games for David Moyes' side. A permanent switch failed to materialise and Lingard spent the majority of last season on the sidelines at Old Trafford - but the England man is now on the brink of a return to the London Stadium.

In an Instagram story, Lingard shared a cryptic snap of a takeaway shop called Chicken Run - the name given to the East Stand at the Hammers old Upton Park home. Lingard also included the caption: "If you know you know" with a heart emoji.

Lingard's cheeky post is the biggest hint yet that the former United academy graduate has decided to return to the Hammers for a second spell. A whole host of clubs have been linked with striking a deal for Lingard this summer, but the 32-cap star is still a free agent.

The Evening Standard reported on Monday morning that the Hammers were 'confident' of landing Lingard and Lille midfielder Amadou Onana in a double deal this week. Lingard is expected to make an announcement over his future at some point this week.

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Lingard has been inundated with suitors over the summer and even jetted to the United States to field offers from a number of MLS teams earlier this month. Newcastle were also keen on the winger, who was linked with a loan switch to St. James' Park back in the January transfer window.

If Lingard does opt to remain in England, then the former Manchester United man will have a point to prove to his old club after spending the season on the fringes - despite the fact that he was expected to feature in the first-team following his impressive stint with the Hammers.

And he was even denied the chance to bid farewell to the Old Trafford faithful when he was snubbed by former interim chief Ralf Rangnick and left on the bench in his final home game for the club.