West Ham United loan star Jesse Lingard could play a role in helping Derby County retain Louie Sibley and Jason Knight should he maintain his excellent form of late.
Lingard spent part of the 2014-15 campaign on loan at Derby from Manchester United.
The England international didn’t make much of an impact at Pride Park. However, he soon grew into a competent top-flight player in the following years at Old Trafford.
Lingard was selected and featured at the World Cup in Russia in 2018.
But since then, he has gradually fallen out of favour at United and made the loan move to West Ham in January as Lingard now looks to revitalise his career under David Moyes.
Lingard’s impact in East London so far will go down well with Derby supporters.
According to ExWHUemployee cited by our sister site Hammers News, West Ham are interested in Derby quartet Lee Buchanan, Max Bird, Louie Sibley and Jason Knight.
The Hammers are said to be tracking the Rams youngsters as Moyes seeks to strengthen his squad at the London Stadium by bringing in the best talent outside the Premier League.
Knight and Sibley are among the crown jewels at Derby in an attacking sense.
Republic of Ireland international Knight can operate out wide or through the middle. He has an enormous engine on him while captaining the side during David Marshall’s absence.
Sibley, on the other hand, has huge potential. He posted five goals and two assists in nine Championship games last season after breaking through to the first team.
West Ham’s reported interest comes as little surprise, yet the Hammers could put that to one side should Lingard continue his fine start and edge towards a permanent move.
The 28-year-old scored twice on his debut as West Ham beat Aston Villa 3-1, prompting FIFA to name him in their Team of the Week alongside Tomas Soucek.
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