England forward Jesse Lingard will leave Manchester United after 11 years, as a free agent, when his contract expires at the end of June. News of the Red Devils academy graduate’s departure from his boyhood club has put not only Premier League clubs on high alert, but also few Italian big guns regarding a potential summer move.
Wishing you all the best in your future endeavours, @JesseLingard ?#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 1, 2022
One of the clubs interested in the 29-year-old attacker is Roma, mainly due to Jose Mourinho’s allegiances with Lingard during their time together at Old Trafford from May 2016 to December 2018. During that time, he played 107 times under the Portuguese tactician – scoring 20 goals and providing 11 assists – in what could be touted as one of his best stints in the red shirt.
West Ham United have reportedly made initial enquiries to sign him on a free transfer, hoping to get him back to the London Stadium, where he enjoyed arguably the best spell of his career so far in 2020/21 as he raked in 9 goals from 16 appearances in Ronaldinho-esque manner.
Newcastle tried signing him earlier in January but the Magpies’ effort proved unsuccessful, whereas there is also lingering interest from Serie A outfits Milan and Juventus. Paris Saint-Germain are also named as suitors for his signature.
Our Take on Lingard’s Italian links
With Englishmen Tammy Abraham, Chris Smalling and Fikayo Tomori all smoothly transitioning into the calcio life, Lingard could very well be motivated to follow his countrymen’s footsteps to reignite his career. Having spent the entirety of his career in England with Manchester United, along with varied loan spells, the forward has an opportunity to add firepower to an Italian club if an offer does materialize.