Newcastle United are reportedly still in the mix to sign Jesse Lingard on a free transfer.
That’s according to the Northern Echo, who claim the Magpies still retain an interest in the 29-year-old.
Lingard is a free agent after his Manchester United contract expired at the end of last month, but is yet to find himself a new club.
Plenty of teams have been linked such as West Ham and Everton, but no one has been able to finalise a deal for the midfielder.
Finances the issue for Newcastle and Lingard
Lingard has been heavily linked with a move to Newcastle in 2022, but finances have been the issue.
Man United priced him out of a January move, but rumours continued surrounding a summer deal. Money was the issue again, with Lingard’s wage demands putting Newcastle off a deal.
It was reported by the Chronicle that he wanted an astonishing £200,000-a-week to play for the Magpies.
And while Newcastle are seemingly still keen, his wage demands remain an issue. The Northern Echo add that Newcastle will not smash their wage structure this summer.
The club reportedly fear that it could create disharmony in the squad and lead to other players wanting a wage increase. They are exactly right to worry, and it’s why a move for Lingard shouldn’t happen on crazy wages.
Lingard needs to decide who he will join soon
Whether he comes to Newcastle are goes elsewhere, Lingard needs to make a decision soon.
The new season isn’t far away, with clubs kicking off their pre-seasons. It’s less than five weeks until the new Premier League campaign kicks off, with Newcastle starting at home to Nottingham Forest.
Lingard can’t afford to hang around for someone to pay him the money he wants. He needs to be ready to hit the ground running this season, which is why he needs a full pre-season under his belt.
The Northern Echo state that the England international wants his future resolved as soon as possible. If that future is to be at St James’ Park then he will need to lower his wage demands of more than £100,000-a-week.