Everton are reportedly interested in signing Jesse Lingard on a free transfer this summer. Lingard was released by Manchester United after his contract expired on July 1.
The English midfielder is on the radar of West Ham United, while Newcastle United wanted to sign him during the January transfer window. And now it looks like there is a new entrant for the player from the Premier League.
According to Paul Joyce from The Times, Everton are keen on Jesse Lingard on a free transfer from Manchester United.
Lingard fell down the attacking pecking order at Old Trafford last season following the arrival of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund and the sudden rise of academy ace Anthony Elanga. As a result, he managed 16 Premier League games last season, of which just two came as starts.
Everton interested in Jesse Lingard on a free transfer .
— paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) July 1, 2022
Due to his limited game time and steady decline in the team’s influence, it wasn’t really a surprise when the 29-year-old decided to leave the club in a free transfer.
Jesse Lingard to Everton – What will he add to the team?
In his first full season at Everton, Frank Lampard will be hoping to see a drastic improvement from his squad that managed to narrowly beat relegation. He will look to make Goodison Park a more difficult place for the opposition to come in and get a result, whilst moving the Toffees farther away from the drop zone.
Before the club jets off for the pre-season tour, though, Lampard has received a big blow with Richarlison joining Tottenham. Richarlison was instrumental in helping the Merseyside club maintain its top-flight status and his departure has left a huge void for Lampard to fill ahead of the new campaign.
Jesse Lingard may not be a potential Richarlison replacement, but he ticks a lot of boxes for Everton. The 29-year-old enjoyed rich success during a loan spell with West Ham in the second half of the 2020-21 season, scoring nine goals in 16 league starts. This shows the quality he can provide in the final third if given regular opportunities.
At Everton, Lingard could enjoy regular game time and regain his lost mojo under the tutelage of Lampard. The England international will add speed, directness and goals, and with the Toffees sorely lacking prolific contribution from the attackers, Lampard’s interest in him makes sense.
While he primarily starts in the no.10 role behind the striker, Lingard can also play on the right flank and in midfield, making him an attractive option for Everton.
And on a free transfer with the ability to get three or four years of quality performances at the highest level, Lingard’s signing is a no-brainer for Lampard’s club.