News24
05 Apr 2020, 17:42 GMT+10
Arsenal are reportedly looking to sign Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard as a replacement for Dani Ceballos.
Ceballos moved to the Emirates on loan from Real Madrid last summer but has struggled to have much of an impact at the club - thanks largely to a problematic hamstring injury - and has been limited to just 14 appearances in the Premier League and just goal, in the Europa League, overall.
As such, the Gunners are scouring the market for a potential replacement and were this week linked with a move for Real Betis star Nabil Fekir, whom they could have signed last summer for Pound 36million.
Club scouts have reportedly watched the France playmaker on several occasions this term and remain convinced that he would be a solid addition to Arteta's team.
However, Fekir is likely to cost around Pound 45m - which may prove beyond Arsenal's price range - while it's a similar story for another reported target in former Liverpool man Philippe Coutinho.
But one man who is unlikely to cost anything near that price is United midfielder Lingard, who has been strongly linked with an exit this when the window reopens.
After shining at the 2018 World Cup, what has followed has been two seasons of toil for Lingard, who is without a Premier League goal or assist since December 2018.
Lingard has been relegated to a back-up role since the arrival of Bruno Fernandes in January and has been used sparingly by United ever since.
In fact, a report last month claimed United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had 'lost confidence in the player' and that the club were prepared to listen to offers for him when the window reopens.
The report adds that Lingard still regards himself as one of the best number 10s operating in European football, which is at odds with Solskjaer's appraisal of the player.
Solskjaer is said to have has been underwhelmed by his performances on the pitch this season and there are also reportedly questions over how he applies himself in training.
The 27-year-old has only recently recruited Paul Pogba's agent Mino Raiola, which has made a move in the next transfer window appear far more likely, and the likes of AC Milan and Sporting Lisbon have both been touted as potential destinations.
But according to The Athletic, a move to Arsenal 'can't be ruled out' this summer, while United would have little objections in selling him to one of their fellow top-four hopefuls.
Lingard's current deal runs until 2021 but at this stage very little process has been made on striking a new one and Goal claims that United are planning for life without the player.
Indeed, Solskjaer is looking to bring in at least one of Jadon Sancho, Jack Grealish and James Maddison in the summer, meaning Lingard is likely to be made available - and possibly for a fee as low as Pound 20million.
Get a daily dose of Herald Globe news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Herald Globe.
More InformationISTANBUL/PARIS/BRUSSELS: As searing temperatures blanket much of Europe, wildfires are erupting and evacuation orders are being issued...
VENICE, Italy: Over the weekend, hundreds of protesters marched through the narrow streets of Venice to voice their opposition to billionaire...
PARIS, France: France is taking stronger steps to reduce smoking. A new health rule announced on Saturday will soon ban smoking in...
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed Elon Musk's success has been built on government subsidies. Without...
EVERGLADES, Florida: Over the weekend, a diverse coalition of environmental activists, Native American leaders, and residents gathered...
BEIJING, China: China's national soccer team may struggle to stir excitement, but its humanoid robots are drawing cheers — and not...
New Delhi [India], July 3 (ANI): The social media accounts of several Pakistani actors and cricketers remain blocked after it was reported...
Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], July 2 (ANI): The much-anticipated LEGEN-Z T10 League will be played from August 7 to August 13 at the...
New Delhi [India], July 2 (ANI): The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Ombudsman Justice (Retd) Arun Mishra has directed...
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 2 (ANI): Actor-comedian Kapil Sharma is back with another episode of 'The Great Indian Kapil Show,'...
Birmingham [UK], July 2 (ANI): Former head coach and cricketer Ravi Shastri didn't mince his words while expressing his discontent...
Birmingham [UK], July 2 (ANI): Indian and England players were wearing a black armband before the start of play on Day 1 of the second...