Troy Deeney told talkSPORT that he would take reported Arsenal target, Jesse Lingard, to the Euros following his performances for West Ham.
Eight goals in nine games. Lingard’s decision to swap Manchester United for West Ham for a temporary basis in January has been one of the best decisions the light-footed playmaker has made in his career.
It has resulted in Lingard pulling out several dance moves during these past few months and Arsenal fans saw it in full flow last month when he netted against them during that thrilling 3-3 draw.
But it now seems as though Mikel Arteta is planning to make a surprise move for the £40 million-rated playmaker, as reported by the Sun.
Deeney shared that, along with his fellow midfield partners at West Ham, Lingard has shown ‘ridiculous’ energy levels in the middle of the park.
“For me, it was a big decision for him to leave (in January),” said Deeney. “He could have easily sat there and taken his money then waited for the storm to blow over.
“He’s taken the impetus to go out and get it and say ‘look, this is what I am going to do’. I think certain teams suit him, the way he can get box-to-box.
“Declan Rice sitting in there and Soucek. The energy they have as a three is ridiculous. He’s scoring and doing well, but for me, he goes (to the Euros).
“And he has really put the fire up, with your Maddison’s, your Mount’s even Grealish to an extent now that he’s not playing. He is saying ‘look, I am here and I am back’.
It perhaps won’t sit well with Arsenal fans if Lingard isn’t deemed good enough for Manchester United then he ends up landing on their doorstep.
But his natural goalscoring ability from midfield, off the ball energy and winning mentality, is what’s needed at the Emirates.
Saying that, Lingard’s fee is growing by game and by every goal he scores, so Arsenal, who aren’t heavy spenders, may find that they will probably be priced out of his signature even if they plan to push for him this summer.
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