Shock alternative to Newcastle emerges for Man Utd and Lingard
Robin Bairner
- 24 Jan 2022 20:14 GMT
- 5 min read
Manchester United winger Jesse Lingard has been one of the hot topics of the January transfer window, with Newcastle the chief suitors for the England winger.
The St James’ Park side, though, will not necessarily sign Lingard, despite reports that they are readying a £10 million bid for the player.
Manchester United, meanwhile, would not particularly miss the 29-year-old, who has managed only 14 appearances for the club this season, returning two goals and a single assist.
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Indeed, he has started only two games in all competitions – an EFL Cup defeat against Aston Villa and a Champions League clash against Young Boys that was effectively a dead rubber for the Old Trafford side.
Despite his lack of game time, Lingard’s superb form for West Ham in the second half of last season is valuable credit in the back for the attacker.
Indeed, the London side have been regularly associated with a move for him in January, although the prospects of him signing for David Moyes’ side appear scant.
Lingard's new alternative
There is, however, a shock name that has re-emerged in the Lingard race: Ligue 1 side Nice.
The French club, who are owned by British billionaire Sir Jim Radcliffe, were associated to Lingard in the summer of 2021 only for no deal to emerge.
Now, FootMercato reports that the club, which sits second in Ligue 1 presently and is on course to make its debut in the group stages of the Champions League next season, are seriously considering going back in for the forward.
However, a major stumbling block for the deal could be the player’s wages, which will be “a bit complex but not necessarily impossible” to negotiate, according to the report. It is noted, however, that the club’s strong league position could encourage the owners to break the bank.
Nice, then, should not be considered as favourites to sign Lingard from Man Utd – that remains Newcastle – but they are a candidate.
