Newcastle United journalist Liam Kennedy has given his thoughts on the club and their reported interest in a transfer for Jesse Lingard following recent reports.
Recent reports have suggested that Newcastle are interested in signing Lingard this January transfer window, with his future at Old Trafford in doubt given his lack of playing time so far this season. Although, the report also states they face a challenge from his former side West Ham United as well as clubs from abroad.
He recently dropped a not-so-subtle hint when it came to his future when he posted a picture on Instagram (via The Athletic) showing him celebrating a goal whilst wearing a Hammers shirt, not long after then-Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer suggested he was still part of his plans.
Speaking on the latest edition of NUFC Matters, Kennedy discussed the situation and seemed to hint that it would be difficult for Eddie Howe’s men to be able to bring him in this window because of the advantages that the east London side have, although he didn’t officially rule it out.
He said: “I think West Ham hold the cards, don’t they, because they had him there last year. It’s very much like the Willock thing that we had – I think even if other clubs had come in, he wanted to kind of come here, didn’t he? So it’s one of those at a slightly higher level that West Ham hold all the cards, but I know he’s a player that’s definitely interesting them.”
TIF Thoughts on Liam Kennedy’s comments about Jesse Lingard and Newcastle United…
Do Newcastle have a chance at signing Lingard?
Yes
No
So as Kennedy hints, it’s not a total impossibility for Newcastle to try and get the £19.8m-rated Lingard, but will certainly be a longshot given where the midfielder’s heart appears to be.
It could be argued that if the Magpies are to get him in January, there needs to be signs of major progress at the club. Because whilst West Ham are currently high in the table, given Newcastle’s riches, they have every chance of getting up there and staying up there permanently – but they need to get out of the relegation zone first.
So it might take something significant, possibly financially to turn Lingard’s head to try and tempt him away from a move back to the capital, but arguably the most important thing that they could do is get some results on the pitch to show that they actually have a chance of staying in the league this season – something that looks challenging given their position right now.
In other news: ‘I don’t see why not’ – £90m-rated star tipped as potential shock ‘medium-term’ NUFC signing