Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed in an interview with talkSPORT that Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard would represent a ‘perfect’ signing for Newcastle United.
Newcastle picked up a first Premier League victory of an otherwise disastrous campaign on Saturday after beating Burnley 1-0 at St James’s Park.
Speculation has mounted in recent days that the Tyneside club are interested in an acquisition of the Manchester United attacker.
The England international snubbed a transfer to Newcastle in January of this year, instead electing to become a West Ham United player.
Despite beating the Clarets, Eddie Howe’s outfit remain in the relegation zone and three points adrift of safety at the moment.
But with January on the horizon, United have a chance to flex some of their newly-acquired financial muscle, following Saudi Public Investment Fund completing a takeover in October.
And former Aston Villa attacker Agbonlahor has claimed that Lingard is an ideal footballer to spearhead Newcastle’s escape attempt during the second half of the campaign.
He told talkSPORT: “If I was Newcastle I’d look at a defensive midfielder and a Lingard to play in front of Willock as a [number] eight. They need that. Lingard coming in would be perfect for them and they’ve got every chance of staying up.”
Where is Jesse Lingard?
Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick omitted Lingard from his squad for this afternoon’s visit of Crystal Palace, though it was an injury-related absence.
Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the 28-year-old managed only 87 minutes of Premier League football this season and if Rangnick continues to snub a fit Lingard, well, Newcastle have every chance.
According to The Times, the North-East outfit are prepared to break their transfer record to bring him to St James’s Park – and with £40 million Joelinton being their most-expensive ever signing now, the Red Devils are looking at a massive windfall on their academy graduate.
Well, if it happens….
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