Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard could spark a January transfer tussle with the Red Devils prepared to accept offers in the region of £15m if he doesn’t sign a new contract.
The 28-year-old is in the final year of his current terms and is looking to force his way into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side after his electrifying loan spell with West Ham last season.
According to The Sun, Lingard wants assurances over first-team football before signing terms worth around £135,000-a-week and should he decide to leave, United don’t want to lose him for anything.
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West Ham would be obvious suitors for Lingard, where he scored nine goals in 19 games at the London outfit last season.
Leicester have also previously been linked with the England international. while Newcastle is expected to splash the cash in January after their Saudi takeover.
This season, Lingard has made six appearances in all competitions for United and got two goals – notably scoring a dramatic winner away to West Ham.
He also provided an assist for Cristiano Ronaldo’s last gasp winner against Villarreal in the Champions League and has featured regularly in Gareth Southgate’s England setup – scoring two in the 4-0 win against Andorra in September.
United legend Rio Ferdinand urged Newcastle to sign Lingard in the January window ahead of the anticipated overhaul of their squad at St James’ Park.
Speaking on his Vibe with Five YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: ‘‘I’d be going to try and make like a mad couple of signings, like huge, that I think would be gettable,’ Ferdinand said.
‘I’d be looking at people like Raheem Sterling. Raheem Sterling’s not playing regularly, I’d go ask him the question. I’d go and ask Declan Rice, “What’s going on?”
‘Them two would be the first two on my list, and I’d go all out to go and get them. And then I’d be trying to get people like Jesse Lingard, who’s in and around the Man United squad.’
‘It’s unrealistic until you ask the question. I’d be going out there to get answers from these types of players and then you work your way down your list.’ [Dailymail]
