Newcastle are happy to stump up Jesse Lingard’s £100,000-a-week wages but, according to the Manchester Evening News, the England international would favour a move to Tottenham Hotspur.
If Lingard cannot force his way into an out-of-sorts Manchester United side crying out for some cutting edge in the final third, with Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford a shadow of their former selves, then what hope does he really have of an Old Trafford revival under Ralf Rangnick?
Lingard has played one minute of Premier League football since Rangnick replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the United hotseat.
In a World Cup year, and with his contract expiring in July, no wonder the 29-year-old has decided to call off talks over a new deal at his boyhood club (ESPN).
Lingard proved during a sensational loan spell at West Ham 12 months ago that, when handed a lead role in his favoured number ten role, he can thrive week-in-week-out at the very top level.
“He could play in any top team because he’s an intelligent footballer,” United legend Rio Ferdinand told Five in May.
“Anyone who knows football surely has to see the kid has a talent. Since he’s gone in there (at West Ham), what he’s done is amazing.”
Will Jesse Lingard choose Tottenham or Newcastle?
If Lingard rediscovers his West Ham form at St James’ Park, then Newcastle will be a top-flight team in 2021/22.
He is a genuine match-winner capable of turning draws like the one against Watford on Saturday into vital wins.
According to the MEN, Newcastle want Lingard on loan and would pay every single cent of his £100,000-a-week wages.
The newly-minted Magpies have already handed a similar contract to Kieran Trippier. Reports from Spain, meanwhile, claim that Sevilla centre-back Diego Carlos could double his pay-packet on Tyneside.
Is Jesse Lingard leaving Man United?
The report does add, however, that Lingard would prefer a return to London. Tottenham, West Ham’s bitter rivals, want the 32-time England international on a permanent deal.
Interestingly, Antonio Conte has a fine track record when it comes to reviving Manchester United outcasts.
Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku, Ashley Young and Matteo Darmian won the Serie A title at Conte’s Inter Milan in May.
Of course, there is a chance that Lingard could play for both Newcastle and Tottenham in 2022. United won’t want to strengthen a top-four rival in January. But there’s nothing they can do to stop Lingard joining Spurs for June.
Could he spend four months on loan at Newcastle and then join Tottenham on a full-time deal?
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