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West Ham are reportedly ready to up their efforts to launch a surprise raid on Tottenham, having seen their hopes of signing Jesse Lingard in January extinguished.

The Hammers and Lingard were a match made in heaven after the Manchester United man signed for them on loan last January. In 16 appearances for them, he notched nine goals and added four assists to remind the watching world of his quality. However, his return to Old Trafford has not gone as planned.

Indeed, Lingard has accrued just 87 minutes of action across eight league appearances this term. That has, understandably, led to fresh claims that a move back to West Ham is on the cards.

However, despite Lingard being out of contract in just six months time, United were said to be seeking £20m for his services.

Understandably, that fee appears to have put West Ham off. And now it seems anyway that Ralf Rangnick has persuaded him to see out the season at Old Trafford.

And while he could yet re-sign for West Ham as a free agent next summer, it leaves Moyes in the cold and seeking a Plan B in the meantime.

Now, as per Eurosport, one name who could come into the frame is Dele Alli.

The midfielder has badly lost his way at Tottenham, having failed to recapture his scintilating form of 2016/17. Indeed, new boss Antonio Conte has reportedly decided to listen to offers for the player having told him some home truths.

Exit looks likely in January

The 25-year-old is understood to have primed his representatives to find him a new club. As such, a parting of ways seems inevitable.

And with his exit seemingly certain, Eurosport claims David Moyes could now consider an approach to sign him.

They claim the Hammers boss is considering an approach for Alli and hoping he could have a similar impact to what Lingard had last season.

The move would certainly come as a surprise given the spiky relationship between supporters of both clubs.

But with Alli needing a move to ressurect his career, the report paints an interesting scenario of a move across London.

Eurosport also cite the interest in Alli from Newcastle – as we exclusively revealed – with talks already underway.

They also write clubs in the Bundesliga could also yet emerge as a surprise option. And they claim Alli is open to the idea of a move to Germany to revitalise his faltering career.

Mills backs Moyes to rejuvenate Dele Alli

With a move to West Ham though seemingly a strong option, pundit Danny Mills is backing Moyes to breathe new life into Alli.

He told Football Insider: “Could West Ham get hold of him? A little bit like Lingard. With David Moyes, you think ‘Wow, look what Moyes did to Jesse Lingard’.

“If Dele Alli is prepared to work hard then there is no better manager than David Moyes. They need that sort of player, they need that sort of attacking player in their ranks. That would be a good move.”

Mills is also adamant that the Hammers are a really good fit for the player.

“If I was West Ham I’d be having a serious look at him. Of course, he’s got to be right and his attitude has got to be right but that would be a decent move for both if they can make it work,” he added.

“Just go on loan for the rest of the season. There are some good coaches at West Ham and they are in good form.

“If you could bring Dele Alli off the bench to supplement Antonio, why wouldn’t you? You could probably get him out relatively cheap too.”

READ MORE: Ranieri gives Watford the upper hand in pursuit of Leeds, West Ham targets

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