West Ham’s hopes of signing free agent Jesse Lingard have reportedly hit the skids after Wolves moved to hijack the signing – but the Premier League pair could both find themselves gazumped by the cash-rich Saudi Pro-League.

The former England international remains a free agent after seeing his one-year deal at Nottingham Forest come to an end at the end of last season, with Lingard allowed to train back at West Ham to maintain his fitness.

And with the Hammers competing on four fronts this season, David Moyes is reportedly looking to add Lingard – who enjoyed an outstanding spell on loan during the 2020/21 season at the London Stadium – to his squad.

Moyes’ side have enjoyed an excellent start to the new season, winning three and drawing one of their four games to date to sit fourth in the table.

But the Hammers boss knows his squad will be tested to the limit over the course of the campaign, meaning a player of Lingard’s experience could come in handy.

To that end, Irons coach Kevin Nolan recently intimated that they were set to offer Lingard a chance to resume his career at the London Stadium.

And when talks of a potential free-transfer to DC United broke down, that left the Hammers in pole position to reunite permanently with Lingard.

However, Sky Sports now reports that Wolves are “showing an interest” in Lingard as Gary O’Neil plots to bring in strength and depth to his Wolves squad. The Old Gold have this week said goodbye to Daniel Podence, with the forward moving to Olympiacos on a season’s loan

Jesse Lingard also wanted in Saudi Arabia

Now O’Neil reportedly wants to push through a move for Lingard for Wolves, if the price is right for the free agent former Man Utd man.

However, the Premier League pair could both find themselves gazumped in their quest to land Lingard.

That’s amid claims that an unnamed pair of clubs in Saudi Arabia are also looking into his potential signing. And it’s reported that the duo see the 32-times capped star as a logical option to move to the Gulf State.

As a free agent, there is no rush to get a deal for the player done before their transfer window closes on Thursday.

And with giant wages no issue to the sides in the Gulf State, they are likely to offer the player a significant package that will simply blow the Premier League duo out of the water.

Nonetheless, the pair will continue to do all they can to convince the 32-times capped England man the chance to resume his career in the Premier League.

Sky Sports reports that Lingard is in line to play in a behind-closed doors friendly for the Hammers as they move to finalise their plans to offer him a deal.