January's Most Wanted: Jesse Lingard to Arsenal, Spurs or West Ham?
Stuart Hodge
- Updated: 14 Jan 2022 11:54 GMT
- 6 min read
For some reason, Man Utd forward Jesse Lingard just isn’t taking the fancy of any of the bosses that walk through the door at Old Trafford.
But his magnificent loan spell at West Ham United in the second half of last season means there are a number of Premier League clubs who would be interested in picking him up.
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Lingard played 16 games for the Hammers, scoring nine times and grabbing five assists. The numbers were backed up by energetic and wholehearted performances in keeping with the dynamic style which saw him break into the Manchester United team in the middle of the last decade.
But with opportunities at a premium seemingly at United, surely he will be considering a move if an opportunity presents itself.
What is Lingard's transfer status?
Ralf Rangnick has already said that the club will be looking to sell players who are not in favour and Lingard would certainly come into that bracket.
He has started just two games this season and even with Rangnick coming into replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, that hasn’t afforded him any more opportunities.
United would definitely be interested in offloading Lingard to help trim the squad size and wage budget.
When does Lingard's contract expire?
Lingard is out of contract this summer which is why a host of clubs are monitoring his situation very closely.
What clubs are interested in Lingard?
Spurs have made contact with the player’s representatives in recent days and their North London rivals Arsenal have also been credited with an interest in recent months.
Prior to Solskjaer’s departure, Arsenal were considered the favourites in the race to sign him but the recent news means Tottenham seem to have nudged ahead in that race.
Of course, Lingard will be seeking assurances of first-team football and if he can’t find that with either of the North London giants then West Ham would gladly take him back.
David Moyes lacks depth in his squad, with the Hammers boss having made the fewest starting XI changes in the Premier League this season – partly due to consistently good performances, and partly due to a lack of other options.
He has West Ham in the Champions League places as things stand and a return to the London Stadium may be an ideal match for both club and player.
Could Lingard leave in January?
Definitely, and with his deal expiring in the summer, it won’t take a huge sum to prise him away from Old Trafford.
Could Lingard leave in the summer?
Given that he is out of favour and out of contract, if he doesn’t leave in January it seems inevitable that he will move in the summer.
How old is Lingard?
At 29, Lingard is just at the beginning of what should be his prime but it’s pivotal that he gets a move that allows him to play regularly to make the most of it.
Arsenal, Spurs and West Ham would all provide interesting options.
