Arsenal, Milan and six clubs who could sign Lingard this summer
FT Desk
- Updated: 3 May 2022 09:14 BST
- 4 min read
Jesse Lingard will leave Manchester United this summer on a Bosman Transfer.
The 29-year-old has endured a miserable season at Old Trafford, barely getting a look-in under first Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and then interim coach Ralf Rangnick.
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He has only been afforded two Premier League starts all campaign and played just 547 minutes in all competitions. He also controversially wasn't even given a minute on the pitch to say farewell during Man Utd's final home game of the season against Brentford on Monday.
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It comes as no surprise that the attacking midfielder will leave when his contract expires, but who will he join?
Here are six options.
Roma
The most likely destination for Lingard right now is Serie A, with Roma leading the race.
Lingard has spoken to Chris Smalling and Tammy Abraham, two fellow Englishman who are enjoying successful careers in Rome.
There is a strong ex-Man Utd enclave at Roma, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and coach Jose Mourinho also there.
Milan or Inter
Another possible destination in Italy is Milan – both AC Milan and Inter.
Lingard sparked rumours of a move to San Siro when he flew to the city for a break there in March, meeting up with another former teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Milan are actively in the market for an attacking central midfielder in Stefano Pioli’s 4-2-3-1 formation. Meanwhile, Inter transfer chief Beppe Marotta is famed for signing free transfers and would jump at the chance for Lingard.
Newcastle
Newcastle tried to sign Lingard during the January transfer window and they had been expected to get their man until Rangnick refused to let the midfielder go.
The richest club in world football will likely return for Lingard this summer. Financially, Newcastle will present him with the best offer he will receive.
The question for Lingard is whether he wants to wait another year before returning to European competition. He turns 30 later this year and may not want to wait.
West Ham
Lingard spent a brilliant half-season on loan at West Ham during the second half of the 2020-21 season.
During that spell he scored a brilliant nine goals and provided four assists in 16 games to take West Ham into the Europa League.
Lingard and West Ham manager David Moyes would have loved to make the move permanent but a deal couldn’t be done. West Ham will surely be in for him again this summer.
Arsenal
A slightly more outside option is Arsenal, who have been heavily linked with Lingard over the last few years.
Arsenal are well stocked in the attacking central midfield areas with the likes of Emile Smith-Rowe and Martin Odegaard but the lack of experience in the Gunners squad has shown in recent weeks.
Having looked set to qualify for the Champions League, they now risk missing out. Lingard’s experience could be exactly what they need in what is a very young team.
