Arsenal are reportedly the latest entrants in pursuit of Jesse Lingard, who could leave Manchester United permanently this summer.
According to an exclusive report by Daily Star, the race to sign Jesse Lingard from Manchester United in the summer transfer window is heating up with every passing day. The English midfielder has appeared on the radar of Arsenal, who are now formulating a move to beat West Ham United to his signature.
Lingard has turned his fortunes around spectacularly since joining West Ham United on loan from Manchester United in the winter transfer window. A bit-part player for the Red Devils in the first half of the season, the 28-year-old has been simply sensational for the Hammers, scoring 8 goals while providing 4 assists in just 9 Premier League outings.
His latest exploits came on Sunday, as he scored a brace to condemn Leicester City to a 3-2 defeat to West Ham. Lingard’s progress at West Ham has, in turn, piqued the interest of a number of top clubs in England, with Arsenal now also reigniting their pursuit of the English international.
The report suggests that Arsenal had been keen on signing Lingard in January as well before a possible switch to the Emirates was rebuffed by Manchester United, who were unwilling to strengthen a rival club. Heading into the summer transfer window, though, the Gunners’ interest in Lingard makes sense.
While the north Londoners would prefer signing Martin Odegaard on a permanent deal, a move for the Norwegian midfielder is complicated, especially following the entry of Liverpool in the picture. With Emile Smith Rowe the only other player capable of seamlessly reprising the no. 10 role, it is not hard to see why Arsenal would want to sign someone like Lingard from Manchester United.
Arsenal are, therefore, planning for a way to hijack West Ham’s bid for Lingard, with the Hammers also intent on landing the 28-year-old. Having said that, it remains to be seen if Manchester United would be open to doing a deal with the Gunners, considering they have rejected their advances once this year.
For now, though, it looks like Arsenal have joined West Ham and others in the race to sign Lingard on a permanent deal and it will be interesting to see what his next destination will be if he decides to leave Manchester United come summer.