Manchester United are reportedly planning on giving a new contract to Jesse Lingard by triggering a one-year option built in to his current deal.
Great news for all Red Devils fans! The reason, according to a report in The Sun, is that the 27-year-old is out of contract next summer. So while it's uncertain whether he'll be in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's future plans, the club don't want his value diminished by his contract status.
Lingard was left out of the squad for United's Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace, but does not lack for admirers as Tottenham, Everton and West Ham are all reportedly interested in a move.
Word is that United have placed a £25 million to £30 million price tag on the England international if he's to leave by October. An extra year on his contract would ensure no club tries to wait then snap Lingard up for free in 2021.
Advert
The player himself is understandably reluctant to leave the club he's been at for 20 years, since joining the academy aged seven. Yet he was said to be seething after being left out entirely for United's league opener.
So maybe Lingard getting a fresh year on his reported 100,000-per-week deal works best for all parties.
It either gives the club scope to find a buyer at the right price or time for Lingard to muscle his way into United's team and prove he's basically a new, English Cristiano Ronaldo as some have claimed. (Admittedly only during England's 6-1 World Cup win over Panama when much Dark Fruit had been consumed.)
Whichever club he ends up at in the future, Lingard will be hoping to better last season's output when it took him to injury time of the final game of the season to record his first league goal or assist of 2019/20.
Advert
Though with the United hierarchy apparently 'assisting' him with a healthy new contract, the numbers are already looking up for JLingz in 2020/21 - and beyond.
All imagery: PA Images
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Football News, Manchester United News, Football, Manchester United, Man utd, Premier League, Jesse Lingard