When Jesse Lingard returned to Manchester United in the summer, expectations were very high from the Englishman. He had enjoyed a tremendous loan spell at West Ham United last season. Joining the Hammers in the second half of the campaign, he played the best football of his career. And he had impressed with the England national team as well. Thus, many had hoped that he could become a big part of the Red Devils’ first-team.
It is safe to say that things have not gone that way. According to stats from Transfermarkt, Lingard has made 12 appearances and played just 267 minutes of football for Manchester United this season.
Thus, it should not come as a surprise that he is already being linked with an Old Trafford exit. On top of everything else, his current deal with the club runs out next summer as well.
And it looks like Manchester United are open to letting him leave in January itself. As reported by the Mirror, the Red Devils are seeking a transfer fee around £20 million for Lingard.
Manchester United have set Lingard transfer price for January
Ralf Rangnick’s arrival as the club’s interim manager might give Lingard another chance to get back in the first-team. That remains to be seen.
But for the time being, it looks like he is quite some way from the first-team picture at Manchester United. And thus, a move away in January might not be the worst idea.
It is not going to be easy though to find a club who would be willing to shell out that kind of a transfer fee when Lingard will become a free agent just months later. Clubs like West Ham United and Newcastle United have been linked with him recently. Rumours have also suggested though that he is very open to staying on at Old Trafford till the end of the campaign.