Tale Of 2 Very Different 9 Irons Aims

The chances of Hammers signing Jesse Lingard are rated at less than 10%, according to club sources, or is it according to Ex-Employee?, it is hard to tell sometimes, with no disrespect intended. The story makes grim reading, but was perhaps inevitable given West Ham's lack of funds and Manchester United's desire to either get top dollar for their player or retain him, at least until January, by which time Marcus Rashford will have returned from the shoulder operation that will keep him sidelined for up to 12 weeks.

So with Lingard looking a forlorn hope, attention turned to West Brom's Matheus Perreira, another talented midfield creator and goal scorer, at three years younger, many argued that Perreira would actually be a better option. The Baggies new manager had made it clear, for whatever reason he chose, to inform Perreira that he would not feature in his plans and was free to leave, SHOULD the correct offer be received.

West Brom value Perreira as high as £30 Million and are currently unwilling to accept any less, as is their right, they would probably 'negotiate' should a club show 'real' interest that begins to match their valuation. The player's situation destabilised after he took to the dreaded social media, in a fit of pique, to publicly state that he had received a 'life changing offer' from a club in the middle east and that his situation at the Hawthorns had become untenable.

Couple of school boy errors there by the player, firstly he is contracted to West Brom, secondly by 'going public' he risks serious sanctions against his potential suitors for 'tapping him up'! How stupid can you get? Al Hilal have apparently 'only' offered the Baggies £17 Million, way short of what the midlands club expects, the absolute lowest fee they would accept would be in the region of £25 Million.

The proposed deal has 'legs' to it because Al Hilal have offered Perreira £130,000 per week to join them, probably with most of the wages being paid tax free, a 'life changing' offer. So, Jesse Lingard chooses to stay at the club where he as been most of his life, despite knowing that even if he is in the starting line up at the beginning of the season, it is highly unlikely it will end that way.

That is Lingard's choice and fair play to him, however misguided that decision may prove to be eventually. He has chosen to fight for his place, believing his time at West Ham proved what a really good player he is and that he can be for Manchester United.

Perreira has been offered a big pay day and is willing to accept it knowing full well that he will not be playing at the highest level and will not reach the heights he was once destined for. It's easy to judge, but not so easy to jury! He obviously has made his choice and wants to pursue getting as much money, as quickly as he can, in order to look after his 'extended' family and there's nothing wrong with that. However the way the player has gone about his business is unforgivable, his actions have devalued his market value if, as has been mooted West Brom play hard ball and refuse to let the player leave until their valuation is met, apparently they are prepared to sit him in the reserves for a while to let him cool his heels.

Perriera will probably get his way eventually, it is an unfortunate aspect of the modern 'player power' game. We would suggest that West Ham have dodged a bullet by not signing Perreira, he is the exact polar opposite to Lingard and we know who we would want out of the two standing next to us in the metaphorical trenches! -Ed