Kevin Campbell believes Newcastle United’s project is more exciting than West Ham United’s, making them favourites to sign Jesse Lingard in the summer.
Newcastle United and West Ham United are battling to sign Jesse Lingard in the summer window when the attacking midfielder becomes a free agent. The Manchester United star has cut a frustrated figure at Old Trafford without any regular game time and the chance to show his talents on the pitch.
He had the chance to leave the club in the January transfer window, only for Manchester United to block a late exit. Since Lingard will be a free agent in the summer when his contract expires, he will be free to choose from several clubs interested in him.
The 29-year-old spent half a season on loan with West Ham last year and proved crucial in their qualification for the UEFA Europa League. He had the chance to rejoin them the following summer, only for then-manager Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to keep hold of the England international.
As things stand, Lingard remains well towards the bottom of the pecking order at Manchester United and is only playing recently due to the loan departure of Donny van de Beek in January. With an exit in the summer inevitable, both Newcastle United and West Ham United are expected to make a play for his signing.
And former Arsenal and Everton striker Kevin Campbell firmly believes that Newcastle United’s new project could be the game-changer for the Magpies in their chase for Lingard.
Speaking to Football Insider, Campbell tipped Newcastle United to beat West Ham for the Manchester United man. He said, “Look, Man United did not want him to go in January. In the end, they just dug their heels in to make it as difficult as possible.”
“Newcastle are in with a definite shout come the summer because the project is taking shape. On a free, Lingard will have his pick of the clubs. He has history at West Ham, but it’s exciting times at Newcastle right now. It is going to be very interesting to see where he ends up. There will be a number of tempting offer, yes, I’m sure.”
Lingard will certainly have plenty of top offers from clubs, with West Ham, Newcastle and Tottenham all in the mix. The main objective for the attacking midfielder would be to play regularly and stand a chance to feature in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the World Cup later this year.
