Why Leicester and Lingard could be a match made in heaven

Stefan Bienkowski

13 Sept 2021 15:55 BST
3 min read

Lingard’s ‘time is up’ at Man Utd — © ProShots

It seems like it’s only a matter of time before Jesse Lingard eventually leaves Manchester United.

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Despite coming through the club’s youth academy and featuring in over 200 games for the club, Lingard is now little more than a back-up option in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

Add to that an expiring contract which will allow the player to move clubs for free at the end of the season and there’s certainly plenty of buzz around the England international’s future.

However, amid some unlikely suggestions, one club that has recently been linked with a move for the forward are Leicester City.

According to Fichajes, the Premier League side are keen to sign Lingard and in many ways such a move would suit all parties.

© ProShots - Rodgers' side have high hopes of qualifying for the Champions League this season

Leicester are as ambitious as Lingard

One of the reasons why Lingard may have opted to stay at Man Utd this season could be due to the fact that the clubs linked with the player weren’t entirely enticing. West Ham, Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday are all proud clubs but none can truly match the player’s ambition to continue winning silverware.

However, in the case of Leicester, Lingard could certainly find himself at another club that has clear plans for moving up the league ladder and challenging for trophies in England and on the continent.

In Brendan Rodgers, Leicester have one of the best managers in English football and a remarkable recruitment department to boot. And by this time next year, the England international could be plying his trade with the Foxes in the Champions League.

© ProShots - Lingard has been touted as a replacement for Barnes at Leicester

Lingard could be an ideal Barnes replacement

The most likely reason behind Leicester’s reported interest in Lingard is due to the fact that the club are expecting to sell some key forwards in the coming transfer window.

James Maddison and Youri Tielemans have been heavily linked with moves away from the club but it could be Harvey Barnes’ proposed move to Liverpool which really fuels Leicester’s desire to bring Lingard to the club.

Ideally for all parties involved, Lingard could slot in as a like-for-like replacement for Barnes next season and ensure Rodgers’ side don’t lose any quality in their starting XI.