With Chris Wood and Kieran Trippier already welcomed, Newcastle United have turned their attention to out-of-favour Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Magpies are still pushing to sign the Englishman. With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, too, Manchester United may see the deal as an opportunity to cash in on Lingard, rather than losing him for free.
Newcastle United Still Pushing for Manchester United Midfielder
Newcastle Hoping to Replicate West Ham’s Fortunes
When West Ham United signed Jesse Lingard on loan last January, not many knew what to think of it. After all, this was a player many hadn’t seen complete 90 minutes of Premier League football at an exhilarating level for what felt like an eternity. He became the forgotten man. Yet, just a few weeks into his London loan, Lingard became the name on everyone’s lips, including Gareth Southgate’s.
The Manchester United man took the Hammers up a level, eventually leading them to Europa League qualification with his nine goals and five assists in 16 games. And he can have the same impact at Newcastle – albeit taking them to survival, rather than European away days.
Eddie Howe will be desperate for a creator to match Wood’s expertise in the frontline. When it comes to availability, there may be no player more fitting than Lingard, either.
On paper, the only problem in any potential deal would be Lingard’s ability to play at a far higher level. This is a top six player; we saw that much last season. This is not a player deserved of the bottom three, and potential relegation. If the Magpies do secure the midfielder’s signature, it will likely prove to be one of the best signings of the season.
Under Howe, Lingard may just return to his clinical best shown at West Ham in the second-half of the last campaign.
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