French side ‘want to sign’ Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard as Newcastle United submit improved loan offer

Ligue 1 side Nice want to sign Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard, according to reports on Monday.

The 29-year-old’s future has been the subject of much speculation in recent weeks, with interim manager Ralf Rangnick admitting on Friday that there have been offers for Lingard.

The No.14, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season, was an unused substitute against former side West Ham United at the weekend, and therefore may have played his last game for the club.

What is the latest with Jesse Lingard

As per French outlet Foot Mercato, Nice want to sign Lingard this month in an attempt to bolster their performances in the second half of the season.

The report states that finances could derail the move and also claim there is interest in Lingard from Newcastle United, West Ham, and from Spain.

Meanwhile, as per 90min, the Magpies have offered United £10m to take the talented academy product on loan, which would allow his contract to expire and essentially end his United career.

The report claims Newcastle are willing to offer Lingard a deal of around £150,000-a-week, which would make the Red Devils more likely to allow him to depart.

Our view - should United let Lingard leave?

There’s no doubt that Rangnick and the Old Trafford board should let Lingard leave this window, be that to Newcastle or abroad.

Who benefits from Lingard staying at United, where he hasn’t started a Premier League game all season?

In truth, the club should have cashed in on Lingard last summer, but keeping him on the books and not giving him game time is in the interests of no-one.

It makes no sense for Lingard, who is desperate to play and wants to regain a spot in the England squad, to sit on the bench for the remainder of the campaign, and any financial offer allows United to make a profit rather than seeing him leave for free in the summer.

The sheer volume of reports surrounding Lingard does suggest a move could happen, and Rangnick’s comments last week implied he would be willing to allow Lingard to depart this window, so there may well be an update before the window closes next week.