According to the Manchester Evening News, Aston Villa have joined Newcastle in the race to sign Manchester United outcast Jesse Lingard.
What’s the story?
Well, a number of Premier League sides are eyeing Lingard, with Everton and Leicester also keen on the 29-year-old.
However, Manchester United are making things difficult.
The Red Devils value Lingard at £50m.
According to the Manchester Evening News, this has angered the 32-cap England international, as he feels he wouldn’t have gone more than two years without a Premier League start for the club if that was true.
One source close to Lingard told the Manchester Evening News that he has been treated as a “commercial property” during the transfer window.
So far this season, the £75,000-a-week man has only played 88 minutes of Premier League football, scoring two goals in that time.
Aston Villa and Newcastle face uphill battle
Given the fact Lingard’s contract expires in June, Manchester United are making some bizarre demands.
According to the Guardian, the Red Devils have told Newcastle to pay £15m for the Warrington-born attacker, despite the fact he has six months remaining on his contract.
Ralf Rangnick’s side want full coverage of Lingard’s wages, a £2.5m loan fee and also a £12m bonus if the Magpies avoid relegation.
Those terms may be slightly different for Aston Villa, seeing as the Villans aren’t the richest football club on the planet.
However, it still suggests Manchester United are in no mood to let Lingard – who has scored 29 Premier League goals – leave easily.
In truth, the only outlandish demand there is the £12m bonus.
If Steven Gerrard really wanted Lingard, we’re sure the Villans could afford to pay the £2.5m loan fee as well as his £75,000-a-week wages.
Keep an eye on this saga, with just days remaining until Monday’s deadline.
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