Clubs are queuing up to sign Jesse Lingard from Manchester United, yet so far no deal has been agreed.
The Telegraph reports Lingard is ‘increasingly angered and exasperated’ as United play hard-ball over potential offers.
United have blocked enquiries from West Ham and Tottenham because the club do not want to strengthen a top four competitor.
French outlet Foot Mercato report Nice are keen on a loan move, but it is Newcastle who seem to be Lingard’s most likely destination.
Newcastle were reportedly offering around £6 million in loan fees for Lingard, although no offer has been accepted.
Sky Sports last night reported Newcastle were close to giving up on a deal for Lingard. Expect a few twists and turns yet.
Lingard has played only 89 minutes of Premier League football this season and his aspirations of making the England squad will be damaged if he stays.
The attacking midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season and will leave. But it will be easier to start salvaging his World Cup ambitions now, than starting in the summer.
Best to move on
Lingard was criticised by pundits for sticking around at United in the summer, with his ambition questioned. But he thought he would be given a fair crack of playing time.
It simply has not worked out, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer treating him poorly, and his fortunes have not got any better under Ralf Rangnick.
Rangnick wants a large squad and will be content if Lingard stays, but he’s unlikely to intervene and insist he does, if a deal is agreed for the player to go.
United have younger players who can step up, either Hannibal or Shola Shoretire, and Juan Mata is also able to provide cover too. The squad argument doesn’t cut much muster.
There is little value keeping Lingard to sit him on the bench the whole season, and United sanctioning Anthony Martial’s loan exit to Sevilla offers some hope the Red Devils will eventually cave and let Lingard go.
The Martial saga dragged on for several weeks too, and Lingard’s situation seems like it is simply a case of United trying to get the best possible value for him.
One way or another, we expect Lingard will not be at Manchester United after deadline day. He just has to sit tight, be patient, and not get too ‘exasperated’ in the mean time.
- I was desperate for Man United to sign Eduardo Camavinga, but his latest Real Madrid decision is a worry
- Joshua Zirkzee’s stance on Juventus move could fast-track Man Utd exit
- Danilo has already learned two important skills from Casemiro amid rumblings he could move to Man Utd
- Man Utd may immediately repeat their successful Youri Tielemans ‘trick’ with their next midfield signing
- Why Man Utd’s brand-new Adidas away shirt for 2026/27 Premier League season is in blue design
- Alejandro Garnacho’s Aston Villa spell could determine which of his two ex-Man Utd teammates’ footsteps he follows
- There’s one major difference with how Benjamin Sesko looks in training
- What Manchester United’s XI vs Rosenborg looked like in 2024 pre-season clash
- Unprecedented transfer move: Man Utd swoop for third midfielder would rip up the club’s transfer history
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
