Tottenham Hotspur are exploring the possibility of signing Jesse Lingard, according to emerging reports…
What’s the word?
football.london reporter Alasdair Gold has recently revealed Spurs’ interest in the Manchester United outcast but it seems as if it would be a move in the summer, when he’s available for nothing, rather than during this month’s transfer window.
“Understand Spurs have sounded out Jesse Lingard’s camp about a potential move to north London,” he wrote on Twitter.
“Should stress, as it says in the piece, that this is currently with regard to a potential summer move. January move unlikely at this moment for Lingard as he becomes a free agent in the summer.”
That said, the accompanying article goes on to suggest that a switch this month isn’t completely off the table and it is being explored.
Summer bargain?
Whilst this potential move would raise some eyebrows, there are some reasons as to why it would be a good decision, notably the fact that he would bolster the Lilywhites’ homegrown quota and he offers plenty of versatility.
Lingard is capable of playing on both flanks, through the middle and as a striker.
He is currently not getting enough game time at Old Trafford, with the £18m-rated England international featuring in just 272 minutes across all competitions so far this campaign.
However, it was only last season that he played a starring role for London rivals West Ham United, where he delivered nine goals and five assists in just 16 games and even provided cover for Michail Antonio.
His form at the London Stadium led to some high praise indeed.
“He’s been phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal,” claimed talkSPORT presenter Adrian Durham, before later adding: “On current form, I think Jesse Lingard is the best player in the Premier League.”
Although his form at United over the last decade or so hasn’t always been good enough, having bagged just 35 goals and 21 assists across 223 appearances, so you can see why plenty of Spurs fans would have their doubts.
In fact, the majority of the replies to Gold’s initial tweet are supporters venting their anger, with many claiming that they are settling for mediocrity, so maybe this is a move that Fabio Paratici and co should steer clear of, even if there are plenty of positives to it.
AND in other news, Spurs eye 1st Jan signing in “crazy” £7.2m-rated beast, he could be Conte’s next Pirlo…