Tottenham Hotspur remain keen on Jesse Lingard…
What’s the word?
According to the Guardian, Spurs are monitoring the situation of the 29-year-old as he remains without a club less than a month before the new Premier League season.
West Ham United have held further talks with their former loan star amid interest from newly-promoted Nottingham Forest, with the likes of Everton, Newcastle United and Leicester City also keen.
It’s thought that Lingard is holding out for £180k-per-week, which is a figure that has put the Irons off for the time being. He’s expected to make a decision on his future imminently.
Homegrown talent
The signing of the former Manchester United man isn’t likely to excite many supporters around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but he is a player that could help Antonio Conte massively.
Not only is he English but he is also an attacking playmaker capable of playing in multiple roles.
Spurs have a homegrown issue heading into the new campaign and that could yet get even worse with academy graduate Japhet Tanganga close to a switch to Serie A giants AC Milan.
Do you want Lingard at Spurs?
YES!
NO!
The Lilywhites are also thought to be on the lookout for a new no.10 and the England international proved he was more than capable of fulfilling that role in the big time during a loan spell at the Hammers.
Under David Moyes, he delivered nine goals and five assists across only 16 appearances but back at Old Trafford, he was limited to just 355 minutes last term.
“He’s a special lad and was very good around the players, the players really like him. His ability shone out last year and gave us a great option in our squad,” claimed West Ham assistant Stuart Pearce.
Lingard wouldn’t cost chairman Daniel Levy a penny in terms of a transfer fee, so that would be quite the steal considering he is valued at £16.2m by Transfermarkt, which is the third-highest figure of all players currently without a club.
So, if sporting director Fabio Paratici wants to improve Spurs’ homegrown quota and add a creative player into the mix at the same time, then they should look no further than Lingard.
He could be a bargain seventh signing of the summer.
AND in other news, Paratici given green light to seal “extraordinary” £34m Spurs signing, Conte needs him…
