Manchester United have reportedly rebuffed an approach from Newcastle United to take Jesse Lingard on loan this month.
According to The Guardian, Newcastle United have failed in their bid to sign Jesse Lingard on loan this month. The 29-year-old is into the final six months of his Manchester United contract and is yet to pen fresh terms at the club. The Red Devils are unsure of letting the midfielder leave amidst concerns over a depleted squad, and injuries would further jeopardise their top-four hopes.
Jesse Lingard was one of the signings of the January transfer window last year and enjoyed an incredible latter half of the 2020/21 season on loan at West Ham United. He enjoyed a fine run of form, amassing nine goals and five assists from 16 games to help the Hammers secure Europa League football in the process.
The 29-year-old went from an outcast status at Manchester United to the fringes of England’s UEFA Euro 2020 squad. He had hoped to force his way back in at Old Trafford this term. But fast forward to January 2022, and Lingard has yet to make a single Premier League start despite showing flashes of brilliance in his cameos off the bench.
It is understood that Lingard prefers a loan over a permanent switch as it allows him to keep his options open until the summer. Indeed, there is no shortage of suitors for the player, with West Ham, Newcastle United, and Tottenham interested in acquiring his services. However, the Red Devils are mindful of not boosting clubs vying for a spot in the top four, making Newcastle the front-runners to land Lingard.
Newcastle United have already bolstered their attacking department by bringing in Chris Wood from Burnley earlier this month. However, having scored just 20 goals after 20 games, which is worse than all but three teams in the division, is dismal, to say the least. Eddie Howe is keen to add even more firepower to his attacking contingent, with Manchester United attacker Lingard on their radar.
Newcastle are working on a deal to sign Lingard on loan from Manchester United for the rest of the season. The Magpies are ready to cover his full wages and offer him regular playing time as he strives to get back into Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the March internationals ahead of the Qatar World Cup in November.
However, as per recent reports, Manchester United have turned down Newcastle’s proposal for now, in an attempt to secure a larger loan fee, knowing that it would effectively spell the end of Lingard’s tenure at the club. As things stand, the Red Devils seek to retain the England attacker as a squad player despite his contract expiring this summer.
Newcastle could yet return to strike a deal with Manchester United for the 29-year-old with a sizeable loan fee, with a permanent transfer also possible. Whether Newcastle make another effort that is lucrative enough to bring Manchester United back to the table remains to be seen.
