Jesse Lingard is currently being heavily linked with a move to Newcastle United – and signing him might be something which helps Chris Wood hit the goal trail at St. James’ Park.
The Manchester United midfielder is supposedly on the Magpies’ radar, and the two clubs are in contact over the player. Newcastle are confident they can secure a move.
According to Sky Sports, Newcastle are prepared to pay a loan fee to land the 29-year-old. They are also ready to cover his wages in full.
Currently the ball is in Manchester United’s court. The Red Devils are mulling over a decision.
Lingard’s contract is up at the end of the season. It is quite possible that they would prefer to sell right now, rather than loan out.
Newcastle could really do with Lingard to sign and raise the quality of the midfield.
It generally hasn’t been good enough this season, and goals and assists from that area of the team have been sorely lacking.
Lingard showed last season that he can make things happen.
He went on loan to West Ham United for the second half of 2020/21, and his spell there could not have gone much better.
He scored nine goals and made five assists for the Irons, and it was interesting to see how good his link-up play was with Michail Antonio.
The pair really hit it off, combining for a total of five goals. Antonio assisted Lingard for three goals, and Lingard assisted Antonio for two.
It was clear from the outset that they had a good understanding. And perhaps Newcastle striker Wood will be hoping for a similar kind of link-up.
Lingard and Wood could be a great partnership at Newcastle
Wood and Antonio are not completely dissimilar in terms of play-style.
They are both physical, and work best with more mobile players working in and around them.
Wood hasn’t scored since completing his £25 million move (BBC Sport) to St. James’ Park from Burnley.
But in his defence, he hasn’t had a great deal of service.
Newcastle landing Lingard, and Eddie Howe deploying him on Wood’s shoulder, could well be something that results in an increase in attacking output. Not just for Wood, but for Lingard as well.
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