Newcastle are reportedly leading the chase to sign Jesse Lingard in January after details emerged over the enormous offer they have put on the table to the Manchester United man.
The future of Lingard remains very much up in the air. The 28-year-old produced the form of his life while on loan at West Ham last season. He was expected to be given opportunities to prove his worth upon returning to Old Trafford, though minutes on the pitch have been in desperately short supply.
Indeed, the midfielder was not included in Ralf Rangnick’s matchday squad on Sunday as Crystal Palace were beaten 1-0. That prompted the German to explain his thinking, with Anthony Martial another notable absentee.
Only time will tell whether Lingard is given a greater role under the interim boss. Indeed, the German’s desire to implement high intensity, pressing football could suit Lingard more than other United forwards.
Nonetheless, Lingard’s contract expires next summer and an exit remains a distinct possibility.
And with the January window fast approaching, it emerged last week that Lingard is intent on severing ties at Old Trafford – despite Rangnick’s arrival.
In turn, talk was growing that a return to West Ham could be on the cards.
However, David Moyes appeared to silence that possibility over the weekend with his admission that the Hammers have ‘moved on’.
Massive financial package to Lingard
Now, The Times has revealed that a move to Newcastle looks a strong possibility.
In a deal that will make Lingard the highest earner in their history, they claim the 28-year-old has been offered a four-and-a-half-year deal worth £100,000 a week.
That works out at a staggering £23,400,000 to the player over the duration of the deal.
Furthermore, they are expected to pay United a fee in the region of £10m – £12m in January to bring him to St James’.
The Red Devils are understood to be warming to the idea of selling him to Newcastle too.
Faced with the prospect of losing him for nothing, they would rather sell him to the Magpies than a direct top-four competitor.
Moyes appears to rule out Lingard move
Newcastle are now just three points from safety following Saturday’s huge win over Burnley.
That will give them hope of pulling off the great escape, with the prospective addition of Lingard further boosting their ranks.
They very much look in the box seat with Moyes ruling West Ham out of the running.
And the Hammers boss couldn’t resist a sly dig at Manchester United for the way they have mistreated the England star.
“I can’t really talk about him because he’s a Manchester United player. And it’s not for me to talk,” Moyes said.
“But he was really good for us. Jesse knows what we all think of him here. My disappointment for Jesse would be, I think he’s such a talented football player and he’s not playing.”
Hinting they have moved on, Moyes added: “He played a big part in our second half of last season. But you’d have to give credit to the players here, they’ve moved on without Jesse.”People might have thought Jesse made a difference here. But the players have moved on and stepped to another level themselves. But I’ve got to say, Jesse was a big part of that.”
READ MORE: Newcastle make progress over £30m transfer to bolster key area of concern
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