Three months ago, Jesse Lingard was an undeniable flop at Manchester United. Now he is said to be on the radar of European giants such as Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter.
Let it sink in for a while.
Lingard did not play a minute in Premier League football during the first half of the season, but he has been rejuvenated since joining West Ham United on loan in January. He has already scored eight goals and four assists in just nine games, which keeps Hammarna in the hunt for Champions League football.
Lingard’s figures have been very impressive Pool / Getty Images
With United ready to sell and West Ham eager to buy, this transfer story seemed pretty straightforward, but according to ESPN, there are some major obstacles for the Hammers to navigate if they want to land Lingard permanently.
As the story goes, Lingard’s form and availability have alerted some of the game’s biggest clubs. Some of the Premier League’s top six are keen, while there has also been interest from Real, PSG and Inter – three sides that could very well become champions in their respective divisions.
Lingard is keen to keep all its options open until the end of the season. His main ambition is to play Champions League football, and he could be the catalyst behind West Ham’s first raid in Europe’s best competition.
Who else?! ⚒️
Jesse Lingard is burning! ? He puts West Ham ahead with a smart finish.
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– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 11, 2021
West Ham are of course ready to do “whatever it takes” to land Lingard, who has been given a price tag of around £ 30 million.
There had been suggestions that United could try to take advantage of that desperation by using Lingard in a swap deal for midfielder Declan Rice, but Hammarna have put their foot down and warned United that Rice will not be part of any deal this summer. .
There have been no formal talks between the two clubs yet, which will have to discuss a traditional transfer as West Ham do not have the option to buy Lingard as part of the loan deal.
Lingard will not be used as part of a rice | Pool / Getty Images
It’s not hard to imagine that Lingard wants to stay at West Ham, but with big boys like Real, PSG and Inter who all sniff around, the 28-year-old may have some decisions to make this summer.
A permanent move to West Ham still looks like the most likely outcome in this one. The European suitors would take a huge risk if they chose to fire a player that United did not consider good enough just a few months ago, and in a world where £ 30 million is no longer a swap pocket, it could be a step too far.
With that said, who knows what is possible today. Lingard is actually good at football for the first time in several years. The sheer idea of it would have been laughed out loud a few months ago, but the crazy train is set to keep rolling for a while longer on the look of it.
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