Jesse Lingard close to transfer after seven teams 'rejected' chance to sign him

Jesse Lingard is close to securing his next move, according to reports, after it was suggested that seven clubs - including West Ham, Celtic and Middlesbrough - turned down the chance to sign him.

Back in December, Lingard mutually agreed to terminate his contract with K League side FC Seoul.

The 32-year-old attacking midfielder, who joined the South Korean side in February 2024 following a short spell at Nottingham Forest, made 65 appearances for the K League side, scoring 18 goals.

Three months on and Lingard is still a free agent, although he appears to be on the verge of joining little-known Brazilian side Remo.

A report from Globo suggests an ‘offer is on the table’ from Remo and ‘negotiations have progressed’ following talks.

"Discussions have been ongoing for several weeks," added the report. "In recent days, negotiations have progressed, with a good chance of the player signing a contract with the club for the remainder of the season."

Jesse Lingard is on the lookout for a new club. Image credit: Getty

Remo ply their trade in Brazil's top tier and sit just outside the relegation zone after three games played.

Seven clubs turned down chance to sign Lingard

Lingard offered his services to a handful of clubs in England, including Premier League sides Burnley and West Ham.

The former Manchester United academy product enjoyed a productive loan spell at West Ham in 2021, where he scored nine goals in 16 Premier League starts, but the Hammers turned down the chance to sign Lingard in January following talks, according to TEAMtalk.

A handful of Championship clubs, including Coventry, Middlesbrough and Ipswich, also said no alongside Scottish Premiership sides Rangers and Celtic.

Celtic are said to have considered signing Lingard in the January window before they decided to swoop for another free agent, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who scored a stoppage-time winner on his debut.

South American expert gives opinion on Lingard talks with Remo

Speaking to talkSPORT, South American football expert Tim Vickery gave his take on Remo's surprise move for Lingard.

"Three rounds into the Brazilian championship, they've got two draws and a defeat. It's a hard slog that you're going there, Jesse Lingard," he said.

"If you're going to go there, it's a hard slog. First, because you're going to be battling against relegation all year. Secondly, because look at the map. Now, the heartland of Brazilian football is in the southeast. Rio, Sao Paulo, and Belo Horizonte.

"Remo, where they are, almost every away game is like a four-hour plane journey. Brazil is vast."

Vickery added: "So there are easier ways to earn your money than signing for Remo."