Paul Merson feels Jesse Lingard should resist a move to Newcastle on deadline day and the midfielder should instead remain at Manchester United.
Following the collapse of their pursuit of French forward Hugo Ekitike, the Magpies are once again pushing to sign Lingard before the 11pm transfer deadline.
The England international once again held talks with interim boss Ralf Rangnick this morning and reaffirmed his desire to leave the club.
The German has again given Lingard his blessing as he pursues a new venture. But a lot will depend on whether the Reds’ hierarchy budge on the £12m survival bonus they want included in the deal, which Newcastle felt was far too extortionate.
Although Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson believes Lingard moving to Newcastle on loan would represent “outstanding” business for Eddie Howe’s side, if he was in the 29-year-old’s position he would stay at Old Trafford.
“If it’s a loan move I think it’s an outstanding signing. For me, I think that gives them the edge in staying up if Jesse Lingard goes to Newcastle,” Merson told Sky Sports News.
“He’s at the biggest club in the world of football. It’s a hard one. It’s a special club, Manchester United. When you leave, that’s it. You’re not going back.
“I’m pretty disappointed he hasn’t been given that much of a chance this season at United. I think he should have got more of a chance, especially with what he did with West Ham last season, and he hasn’t had that opportunity.
“I think he might get a chance now. I would stay at Manchester United.”
Although United’s number 14 is set to leave the club on a free transfer in June, the Red Devils are reluctant to allow Lingard to move to West Ham once again due to them being a top-four rival.
Lingard, who hasn’t started a Premier League game all season, scored nine goals and made five assists from 16 Premier League games, during his loan spell at the Hammers last season.
With Anthony Martial, Amad Diallo and Donny van de Beek all leaving the club on loan and Mason Greenwood needing to be replaced in the starting line-up, Lingard’s prospects of featuring for United have increased massively.
Any potential deal for Lingard, who trained at Carrington today, could go right down to the wire, but there still remains a possibility that he could finish the season as a Manchester United player.
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