Pranav Nair
AC Milan and Barcelona enter the race for Manchester United star Jesse Lingard
According to ESPN, European giants AC Milan and Barcelona are in the fray to land Manchester United star Jesse Lingard in the 2022 summer transfer window.
The 28-year-old is in the final year of his deal at Old Trafford and is yet to pen fresh terms despite being offered one. Lingard is seeking regular playtime and it would appear Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s assurances have done little to convince him.
Given how the Norwegian has kept his word to Donny van de Beek, one cannot blame Lingard for keeping his options open. Whether there will be a late twist in the tale remains to be seen.
Clubs outside of England are free to negotiate with Lingard when the January transfer window opens on new year’s day. Both Milan and Barcelona have lost stars last summer and will welcome the opportunity to land an impactful player on a Bosman.
The Catalans are in the midst of a rebuild both on and off the field. Financial mismanagement has seen them unable to splash the cash. In such a scenario, a free agent such as Lingard is an incredibly attractive option.
His ability to play multiple positions is also a major boost. An exceptionally good option to bring off the bench, there is little to suggest he can become a regular at Old Trafford. Maybe a move abroad could prove to be the next frontier in his career.
At 28, the Englishman is at his peak and has on multiple occasions shown the difference he can make on the field. If it is to be his last season at Old Trafford, we hope he leaves the club in a blaze of crazy.
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While it is a testament to Lingard’s ability that he is being courted by some of Europe’s biggest sides, it remains to be seen if he will be afforded a prominent role at either the Nou Camp or San Siro.
