Revealed: How Jesse Lingard cost West Ham thousands of pounds during unsuccessful trial as club funded hotel room and all travel costs

The ex-England international, who is a free agent after being released by Nottingham Forest at the end of the 2022-23 campaign, returned to east London in the hope of earning a permanent contract. He had previously impressed for the Hammers during a nine-goal loan spell in 2021.

David Moyes was happy to give Lingard an opportunity to impress, as he figured in training and a behind-closed-doors friendly. It is claimed that the 30-year-old spent six weeks with West Ham, having spent time working at Inter Miami’s training facility prior to returning to England – while also seeing D.C. United boss Wayne Rooney rule out a move for his former Manchester United team-mate.

The Mirror claims that the Hammers have been left out of pocket after funding all of Lingard’s accommodation and travel costs during his time with them. They paid for his hotel room and getting him to and from training – with Lingard serving a six-month driving ban after giving police a false name following a speeding infraction.

After severing ties with West Ham, Lingard has made his way to Saudi Arabia. He is now training with Al-Ettifaq – the side managed by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard and one that has already drafted in the likes of Jordan Henderson, Moussa Dembele, Georginio Wijnaldum and Demarai Gray.