Newcastle tipped to agree Lingard deal with Man United after £16.5m reveal – pundit
Alex McLeish has suggested Newcastle United could still strike a deal to sign Jesse Lingard from Manchester United before Monday’s transfer deadline.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Scotland manager admitted he does not see the Red Devils pricing the 29-year-old out of a move.
As reported by the Telegraph’s James Ducker today (January 26), talks over a loan move for Lingard have stalled with Newcastle unwilling to agree to a £12million survival bonus.
The journalist claims the total cost of the deal could rise to £16.5million including loan fees and wages.
As revealed by Football Insider on Friday (21 January) Manchester United rejected a £5million loan bid from the Magpies.
However, McLeish suggested the two clubs could still agree terms before Monday’s deadline.
Asked if he thought Manchester United were pricing Lingard out of a move, McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “I don’t really buy that.
“I really think that he’ll be able to go. There will be some kind of price that will appease Manchester United. I don’t see them holding onto him.
“Really, I can see Manchester United definitely coming to some sort of agreement. That’s only my opinion but it would seem strange to keep him on when they’re not starting him at all.
He could perhaps doing a similar job to what he did at West Ham. Lingard played with a lot of freedom at that club, as if his head was cleared.
“You would think that Newcastle fans would welcome a player of that calibre.”
Lingard, who is out of contract this summer, has not started a single Premier League game this season.
He has just two starts in 14 appearances across all competitions.
In other news, Football Insider can reveal Newcastle United have turned their attention an English defender after twist.