Will it be a case of third time lucky for Newcastle United and Jesse Lingard? Newcastle's attempts to sign Lingard on loan came up short in January, 2021 and, indeed, the mid-season window earlier this year, but the Magpies are now among the frontrunners to land the 29-year-old on a free transfer this summer.
As has been widely reported, Lingard has no intention of extending his stay at Manchester United after a sour end to his 20-year stay at the club and Newcastle, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus are all interested in a player who will soon be out contract. This is, potentially, Lingard's last big deal, but ChronicleLive understands the forward simply wants to play after a frustrating season at Old Trafford. That thirst to make the England squad for the World Cup may yet work in Newcastle's favour.
Eddie Howe, after all, is a long-term admirer of Lingard's and although no one is guaranteed a place in this Newcastle side, the England international would have the best chance of getting the minutes he desires at St James' Park while playing in a league he already knows so well. Moving to Tyneside would also allow the father-of-one to stay closer to his family in the north.
