Jesse Lingard is allegedly set to be offered a pre-contract, with a view to joining Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq in the next transfer window.
The 30-year-old has been a free agent since being released by Nottingham Forest earlier this year and was previously training with West Ham United.
However, Lingard made the decision to swap the Hammers’ Romford-based training ground to link up with Steven Gerrard in the Middle East instead.
As per Fabrizio Romano, Al Ettifaq’s coach wants the former England international to join the likes of Jordan Henderson, Moussa Dembele and Georginio Wijnaldum.However, Gerrard will have to wait to sign Lingard as the Saudi League currently has a limit on how many foreign players can be included in a matchday squad.
Clubs are allowed a maximum of eight in a team, and Al Ettifaq, having ten, will need to shift some players if they want to sign Lingard.
As per ESPN, it seems as if the team could shift Robin Quaison - who has been part of the team’s setup since 2021 - and Brazilian winger Vitinho.
It’s said that Gerrad is extremely “keen” to have the England international in his squad after he played and scored in a friendly game against Al Khaldiya earlier this month.Lingard broke through into Manchester United’s senior setup in 2011 before making 149 Premier League appearances and scoring 35 goals in all competitions.During his time with the Red Devils, the Warrington-born star also completed loan spells with Leicester City, Birmingham City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Derby County.
In 2021, he joined West Ham on loan before returning to United for the 2021/22 season. After being released from his contract, he signed for Forest on a year-long deal in July 2022.
Despite becoming their highest-paid player for the 2022/23 season, he made just 17 appearances for the club and failed to provide any goals or assists in the league.
According to Romano, the final decision to join Al Ettifaq - who are currently seventh in the Saudi Pro League - remains with Lingard.
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