Jesse Lingard appears to be at the end of his time at Manchester United, with his contract set to expire in six months. However, a potential loan move to a Premier League rival has been complicated by the demands of his current club.
Newcastle United, mired in a relegation battle, have been one of the most active clubs in the January transfer window, signing players such as Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood in an effort to stay in the EPL, with Lingard rumoured to be in Eddie Howe’s plans.
Manchester United Looking for Major Cash for Lingard
However, the board at Old Trafford have complicated matters, asking Newcastle to not only pay a £2.5 million loan fee, but also a £12 million survival clause, meaning that they could pay close to £15 million if Lingard were to help the club avoid relegation.
This move continues a trend of clubs asking the new richest club in the world for high fees for potential moves. The Red Devils previously asked the Magpies for a £6 million loan fee for the signing of Anthony Martial, who was loaned to Sevilla for free.
Man Utd could've sold Lingard for £20m last summer and now rejecting a £6m loan fee from Newcastle when he's a free agent in 5 months time?
— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) January 25, 2022
Squeezing the Saudi cash cow is cool but it'll be funny if they look elsewhere and Lingard leaves for NOTHING.
Manager Ralf Rangnick has said that he is open to allowing Lingard to leave, as he will leave in the summer; however, the board refused to send him to Newcastle unless they meet their £15 million demands.
The 29-year old Lingard is said to be displeased with the way United is treating him, as he looks to make his case to join Gareth Southgate’s squad in Qatar later this year. Manchester United does not seem to be keen on letting him leave on loan, as they have refused to negotiate with West Ham or Tottenham on a six-month loan.
Lingard’s treatment by his current club has all but confirmed his pending exit. He has only started two games for the club this year, after a fruitful loan spell at West Ham last season.
It appears that no matter what happens in this transfer period, Lingard will be leaving his boyhood club after over twenty years during the summer.