Manchester United academy graduate Jesse Lingard is reportedly set to be handed a new contract worth £130,000 per week.
According to a report from The Sun, Manchester United are set to reward Jesse Lingard with a new contract, with the England international becoming an integral part of the team under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
A product of the Manchester United academy, Lingard has been with the club since 2000 and made his first-team debut in August 2014 after a series of loan spells with Leicester City, Birmingham City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Derby County. Till date, the 26-year-old has made 167 appearances netting 29 goals and assisting 18 more.
The 2018-19 campaign saw Lingard finish with a return of 5 goals and 4 assists from 36 appearances across all competitions, with injuries hampering him to some extent. Despite his not so impressive returns, the 26-year-old offers a lot to this United side with his pace, clever movement and energy, which has seen him become a key member under Solskjaer.
And that is why, Manchester United are set to hand him a bumper new contract, despite the England international still having over two years left on his existing deal with the club. The new contract will see Lingard’s wages rise to £130,000-a-week, the report claims, although it does not specify the length of the deal.
Manchester United saw Ander Herrera decide to leave this summer with his contract expiring, while they have been unable to agree new deals with David de Gea and Marcus Rashford, both of whom will be entering the final year of their contract. And they are looking to avoid another such a situation with Lingard as well, by starting negotiations over a new deal.
It is a good move by the club, as they look to tie down an important member of the squad who is integral to the manager’s plans with a long-term deal. Manchester United have tied down the likes of Anthony Martial, Scott McTominay to new deals, while Juan Mata is also likely to get a new contract, along with fellow midfielder Andreas Pereira.
Manchester United have a busy summer ahead of them after a disappointing 2018-19 campaign. The Red Devils have already secured their first signing, with Welsh winger Daniel James arriving from Swansea City in a deal worth £18 million, including add-ons. While more incomings are awaited, Lingard’s potential contract extension will come as a good news for the supporters.