Saudi-backed Newcastle United have reportedly made the signing of Jesse Lingard a priority when the January transfer window opens.
According to The Times, Newcastle are willing to make Lingard the highest earner in the club’s history, which will be their main negotiation tactic over the coming years to attract big name players to St. James’ Park.
Lingard’s representatives have held talks with Newcastle about a move and he’s reportedly been offered a 4-and-a-half-year deal. Although no figures have been mentioned yet, it is said that the England international would surpass Miguel Almiron (£100,000-a-week) as Newcastle’s highest paid player.
We can only imagine West Ham will have something to say about that.
However, it already feels like Lingard’s time at Old Trafford is coming to an end, with the midfielder’s contract due to expire next summer. He isn’t getting anywhere near enough game time to earn a place in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad next year, and at 28 he can’t be happy sat on the bench every week.
We already know that United risk losing Paul Pogba on a free in the summer, but the same can happen with Lingard unless they 1) agree on a contract extension or 2) sell up at a cut price in January.
Can the club afford to lose two valuable assets for nothing in the summer? They would get heavily criticised for that and right so, though I have no doubt Ed Woodward will convince his favourite journalists that United are freeing up space on the wage book.
