Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick has now given Jesse Lingard the green light to seal a transfer, with Newcastle and West Ham both submitting improved offers on deadline day.
That’s according to The Athletic [31/01, 13:45], who report the Magpies and Hammers held fresh talks on Monday morning. Both sides want Lingard to boost their respective aims of avoiding relegation and pushing for European qualification in the second half of the term.
Lingard also met Rangnick on Monday morning to plead with the Red Devils boss for his go ahead to move clubs. The England midfielder requested permission to leave Old Trafford in order to secure regular playing time in hopes of getting back into Gareth Southgate’s plans.
Rangnick has backed Lingard’s stance and will now leave a final decision to the Manchester United board. The Red Devils hierarchy have so far shown the most opposition to offers, as they fear West Ham’s immediate threat and Newcastle’s future competition for top places.
But pressure is building on the Manchester United leadership to let their academy product leave before Monday’s 23:00 deadline. Otherwise, they risk keeping an unhappy player for the final five-months of his £100k-a-week contract before it expires in June.
Newcastle, West Ham target Lingard not given up on leaving Manchester United
West Ham and Newcastle are now waiting for Manchester United to decide if their new offers are enough for Lingard’s transfer. The Hammers are even offering better terms than when they loaned Lingard for the second half of last season.
Per The Times, the Irons paid the Red Devils £1.5m for his temporary arrival at the London Stadium last year. But the Old Trafford hierarchy have demanded a total £15m package to sanction a deal with the Magpies this month.
That’s according to The Athletic, who note Manchester United want a £2.5m loan fee plus a £12m bonus if Lingard keeps Newcastle in the Premier League. But the midfielder – who Rio Ferdinand lauds for his ‘phenomenal’ movement – is still pushing for the loan transfer.
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