Jesse Lingard is set to leave Manchester United this summer if he is not going to play regularly, as he looks to boost his chances of returning to the international fold with England.
The attacking midfielder fell out of favor at United and was sent out on loan to West Ham last season, where he won numerous plaudits for his performances. At United, Lingard wants regular first-team football and could force a way out of Old Trafford by the transfer window deadline on August 31 to get it.
Although Covid-19 ruled him out of the club’s Premier League opener, a 5-1 win against Leeds, he has returned the training pitch and scored again in a friendly against Burnley on Tuesday.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly now mulling over whether to bring him in to the squad against Southampton on Sunday, but regular game-time is far from guaranteed with the Red Devils despite his fine pre-season and form last campaign.
The talismanic Bruno Fernandes also prefers a central No 10 role, with United’s winger positions well stocked with £73m signing Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Paul Pogba capable of playing out wide.
It would be difficult for Lingard to leave the club he joined 21 years ago, but with one year left on his contract, he is willing to make that move to increase his chances of returning to Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
Although it is understood one enquiry for the £25m-rated star was received from Italy, there have as yet not been any official bids for the player, with West Ham interested in re-signing him permanently but unwilling to pay the asking price.
Lingard’s stellar form at the London Stadium – with nine goals and five assists in just 16 appearances – saw David Moyes’ Hammers finish sixth, missing out on Champions League football by just two points.