REPORT: CanWNT forward Adriana Leon linked to West Ham return on loan

Canada Women's National Team forward Adriana Leon has been linked with a potential loan return to her former club West Ham as playing time at Manchester United continues to elude her, reports Emma Sanders of BBC Sport.

Sanders adds that United are "not keen" to let Leon go, despite limiting the 30-year-old winger to just eight total appearances across all competitions in 2022-23, mostly off the bench.

West Ham’s pursuit for a striker continuing. I’m told they have at least three options they are exploring. One is a push for Man Utd’s Adriana Leon on loan. Believe Utd are not keen to let Leon go but would expect conversations for Leon to continue.

— Emma Sanders (@em_sandy) January 31, 2023

Leon joined Manchester United last July after spending four seasons at West Ham in the Women's Super League, penning a two-year deal in a move that seemed a natural step up at the time – her reward for a series of excellent performances for club and country. Leon brought with her 59 total appearances at West Ham, where she scored 12 goals to go alongside her 28 international strikes over 92 caps since 2013.

The Olympic gold medalist is expected to join Canada for the 2023 SheBelieves Cup, kicking off on Feb. 16.