Manchester United attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for fellow Premier League club Leicester City.
According to a report from Spanish publication Fichajes, Leicester City are considering a move for Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard for the summer transfer window of 2022.
Lingard, a product of the Manchester United academy, has had a couple of turbulent campaigns at Old Trafford. The 28-year-old attacking midfielder fell down the pecking order under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and was dealing with some off-the-field issues that led to a difficult spell. This led to a loan move away to West Ham United in January which turned things around in a spectacular fashion.
Indeed, Lingard was one of the best players on display in the Premier League during the second half of the 2020/21 season, scoring nine goals and setting up six more, in the process helping the Hammers finish sixth and qualify for the UEFA Europa League.
Unlucky to have been omitted from the England squad for the UEFA Euro 2020, Lingard courted plenty of interest from clubs in the summer, with West Ham, in particular, being keen to sign him on a permanent basis. However, a deal was not agreed as the Hammers were unwilling to meet Manchester United’s demands for the 28-year-old.
Having stayed put at Old Trafford, Lingard had a positive pre-season before contracting coronavirus which came as a setback. However, having been back to full fitness now, the Englishman enjoyed a productive international break with the Three Lions and was on target for the Red Devils in their 4-1 trouncing of Newcastle United this past weekend.
Lingard’s stock continues to soar high and the 28-year-old could once again be a subject of strong interest from several clubs come 2022 as he is in the final year of his contract and has turned down a new deal with Manchester United.
West Ham continue to hold an interest in the 28-year-old, with Leicester City also joining the chase now. The Foxes, as per the report, are keen on strengthening their options in the No. 10 role amid uncertainties surrounding James Maddison, who continues to be linked with an exit while his form has also somewhat deteriorated.
Lingard’s situation at Manchester United continues to be unfavourable considering that he has to compete with the likes of Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Bruno Fernandes, Donny van de Beek, among others, for a spot in the starting XI, which means that game-time is likely to be hard to come by.
With Leicester now joining West Ham, Lingard is not short of options should he decide to run down his contract at Manchester United. It will be interesting to see where the England international will be playing next season.
