David Moyes is unsure how "realistic" a permanent deal for Jesse Lingard will be for West Ham, with Manchester United yet to make a definitive call on the midfielder's future.
The Hammers took a calculated gamble on the England international during the winter transfer window after seeing him frozen out of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's plans at Old Trafford.
A spark has been rediscovered by the 28-year-old in east London, with nine goals and three assists helping him to become a Premier League Player of the Month winner, but it remains to be seen where he will be playing his football in 2021-22.
What has been said?
West Ham boss Moyes remains keen on getting another agreement in place, but told reporters on his chances of landing Lingard: "I'm not sure how realistic it is.
"I think Jesse has enjoyed himself, I hope he has, we've enjoyed having him.
"Manchester United, he is their player so they can decide what to do with him. If they choose that they want to let him go then I'd hope he'd consider us as one of his options."
The bigger picture
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The Hammers' efforts to bring Lingard back next season may be aided by the addition of European competition to their schedule.
Moyes' men remain in contention for a top-four finish, and a Europa League spot at worst, with their manager adamant that he would welcome continental action of any kind.
The Scot added, with West Ham back in action against Brighton on Saturday: "European football for a club like us, folk would be saying you don’t want to be playing European football on a Thursday and then [League] on a Sunday, all that carry on. I do. I want it bad. I want the players here to want it bad. They’ve been getting it in the ear off me for six to eight months so for that I really want it.
"When you get a chance you’ve got to take it. We’ve had a smell of Champions League, we’ll keep trying to go for it but that has got a little bit less likely than maybe it was a couple of weeks ago.
"If there is some way you want to be rewarded for the season you have had, I think European football will be that reward.
"We all watch it, we all know about it, many of us have been involved in it, there are players here who have played in European games before. I think we want to try and get in amongst it.
"I don’t know if I will be saying that if I was in it and worrying about getting teams and whatnot together. But overall, I’m not considering any of that at the moment.
"I can only consider trying to win the next game. We might not make it, but I think we have got a good chance, and I want us to keep on going and try and do it."
