Former Manchester United forward Jesse Lingard has reportedly offered himself to Barcelona over a possible free transfer this month.
According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Barcelona will have the chance to sign Jesse Lingard this month. The former Manchester United forward is a free agent after his stint with Nottingham Forest ended last summer. And he has offered his services to the reigning La Liga champions.
Jesse Lingard in a Flux
Jesse Lingard has been an enigmatic player throughout his professional career thus far. The 31-year-old was a highly-rated prospect during his days in the Manchester United youth division. But he had to bide his time to establish a foothold in the first-team squad at Old Trafford due to a few fitness issues.
The English international finally found a stable foothold at Manchester United under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho, although he also made his mark in Louis van Gaal’s final season at Old Trafford. His best period came when the Portuguese tactician was in charge of Manchester United.
But Lingard’s stock fell during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign as the Manchester United manager. He resurrected his career on loan at West Ham United but could not become a regular again in the 2021/22 season. The Englishman’s stint with Manchester United finally ended in the summer transfer window of 2022.
Nottingham Forest snapped him up, but his 2022/23 campaign was disastrous. So, Lingard’s short spell at the City Ground ended last year, as he became a free agent again. Since then, widespread rumours have linked him with several well-known clubs, including West Ham United. But he remains a free agent midway through the 2023/24 season. And he has now offered his services to Barcelona.
Barcelona Calling? What Next for Lingard?
Lingard is primarily an attacking midfielder but can play on the flanks. So, he might be a decent short-term solution for Barcelona amid the inconsistencies of the club’s offensive department. Signing a free agent like the former Manchester United forward will also align with Barcelona’s Financial Fair Play predicament.
But it is unclear if the reigning La Liga champions want to sign the 31-year-old Englishman this month. While he can be a cost-effective addition, the former Manchester United forward has not played a game for over six months and might be rusty. So, it will be interesting to see if a move to Barcelona materialises for Lingard.
