Transfer breakthrough for 'class' ex West Ham star after Barcelona speculation

Former West Ham United star Jesse Lingard is on the verge of completing an unexpected move across the globe to join South Korean side FC Seoul to end an eight-month period without a club.

The 31-year-old had trained with the Hammers last summer but wasn't offered a deal with the club where he enjoyed a successful loan spell in 2021. Lingard also had been training with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq but had not signed a deal.

The Manchester United youth academy prospect shared an image on Instagram as he waited to check in to a Korean Air flight this week as the transfer saga surrounding his future appears to have reached a conclusion. Earlier this month, The Sun reported that Lingard had offered his services as a free agent to La Liga giants Barcelona which shocked the footballing world after the midfielder's recent stint at Nottingham Forest ended with just two goals in 20 appearances.

Lingard is expected to touch down in South Korea on Monday and will have his medical ahead of joining the team's training camp in Kagoshima, Japan. It is reported that the player will be on a 'substantial' pay packet with the new club.

FC Seoul manager Kim Gi-dong said: "I heard about it two to three weeks ago and I thought it was unrealistic. I asked our director of football about it and he replied to me: yes, it's true, we are in contact with the player, but the deal is not confirmed yet.

"If he comes, of course, it would be great for K-League as more foreign fans would be interested in our league. And if he comes as he was not playing for a while, we need to give him time to adapt rather than expect an instant impact."

Lingard was loaned to West Ham from Manchester United in January 2021 and enjoyed a superb stint at the London Stadium. The former Brighton man picked up nine goals and five assists in 16 Hammers appearances, winning Premier League Player of the Month and Goal of the Month in April 2021.

Speaking at the time, West Ham star Aaron Cresswell said: “Jesse has been fantastic. You just need to look in the short space of time he's been here, his stats speak for that - his goals and assists in such a short time.

“I knew Jesse was a very good player, I played with him at England a few years back. He just hasn't had the luck the last few years at Man United and didn't really get any game time. As they say: class is permanent. He's certainly come back and looks in fantastic shape and he's back in the England squad. He's been a fantastic addition to our squad.”