Jesse Lingard’s private transfer chat with Ralf Rangnick before bombshell Man Utd U-turn
Before talks with Manchester United fell through, Ralf Rangnick reportedly gave Jesse Lingard permission to go on loan to Newcastle for the rest of the season.
Lingard’s contract with Manchester United expires at the end of the season, and he has been heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford this month.
This season, the midfielder has made 14 appearances for United, but 12 of those have come as a substitute.
He has grown disgruntled with the lack of opportunities and, after spending last season on loan with West Ham, has lobbied to be allowed to depart on loan again.
Lingard, according to the Daily Mail, had a fruitful one-on-one chat with Rangnick on Tuesday, during which the German coach fulfilled his demand.
But, just one day later, it looks that his temporary relocation to St James’ Park is in jeopardy.
The issue is that United is expecting a sizable loan fee for the 29-year-old midfielder, as well as full payment of his £100,000-per-week wages until the end of the season.
Despite the lack of a transfer fee, signing Lingard on loan would reportedly cost Newcastle approximately £15 million.
United believes that is a fair price for the England international, who scored nine goals in 16 games for West Ham last season.
However, it looks that the Magpies are being stubborn in the final week of the January transfer window.
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Newcastle is apparently looking to improve their team in order to escape relegation from the Premier League.
West Ham and Tottenham have expressed interest in Lingard, but United are loath to do business with the London teams due to their respective league situations.
West Ham is a point behind United in fifth place, while Tottenham is seventh and has two games in hand on Rangnick’s team.
Everton has also expressed interest in Lingard, although United is hesitant to engage the Merseyside club due to soured relationships stemming from the recent business.
The Old Trafford hierarchy dislikes Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri, who has previously called off offers for Sergio Romero and Van de Beek at the last minute.
Newcastle’s interest in Lingard may wane as they make progress in their pursuit of Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
Newcastle is reportedly close to signing the Brazilian for a cost of £33.5 million (€40 million).
When he returns to Brazil from Ecuador, where he is now on international duty, the 24-year-old is expected to pass a medical.
Newcastle has already signed Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood this month but has yet to sign a center-back to Eddie Howe’s squad.
The Magpies, who are in Saudi Arabia for warm-weather training, are 18th in the Premier League, a point behind safety, after a 1-0 win over Leeds United on Saturday.
