Everton

Everton

Premier League • England

Jesse Lingard will only complete transfer to top suitors ‘as a last resort’

Jesse Lingard transfer. Man Utd midfielder, arrives for the Premier League match at Brighton. He's on West Ham's wanted list

Former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard will only join Everton this summer “as a last resort”, claims a report.

Lingard is officially out of contract and a free agent after running down his deal at Old Trafford. The midfielder is looking to kick-start his career again after a disappointing final season at Manchester United in which he made just two Premier League starts.

Lingard is hoping to force his way back into the England squad for the World Cup in Qatar later in the year.

He won the last of his 32 caps in October 2021 when the Three Lions thrashed Andorra 5-0. His last England goals came in the form of a brace against the same opposition a month earlier.

But his loan spell at West Ham in 2020/21 showed interested suitors exactly what he could do. His nine goals and five assists for the Hammers got him back into the England reckoning.

Lingard earned a call-up to England’s 33-man squad ahead of Euro 2020, but Gareth Southgate ultimately left him out of his final 26-man squad.

It’s that form which has got Frank Lampard excited. Everton are understood to have him high on their wanted list. There is also interest from West Ham, Tottenham and Newcastle.

Although Fabrizio Romano has claimed there has been no proposal from Spurs.

A move to West Ham or Everton would likely offer Lingard a guaranteed starting role. Lingard though is wary of a move to Everton, claims The Sun.

Lingard has financial concerns

Lingard would not need to relocate, but he is “understood to be wary of moving to a club with major money worries”.

Everton are currently in the midst of a potential takeover. They are also trying to contend with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations which last week forced them to sell Richarlison to Tottenham for £60m.

Everton received £50m up front, with a further £10m in add-ons.

Leeds and Burnley wrote to the Premier League last month to question Everton whether they had broken FFP. The Toffees have recorded losses of £371.8m over the last three years.

Premier League rules allow clubs to lose a maximum of £105m over three years.

Other players, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Andre Gomes could also leave this summer to ease the club’s financial worries. And it seems Lingard is unwilling to join a club with such concerns.