Jesse Lingard’s prospective move to Newcastle looks to be dead in the water after new reports claim he will stay at Manchester United. That’s despite Ralf Rangnick giving the green light to the player for him to leave today.
Lingard has found first-team opportunities hard to come by this season despite starting well under former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the start of the campaign.
The Warrington-born star has enjoyed just 26 minutes of Premier League game time since the start of November, adding to the rumours that a move was likely the further his absence went on.
West Ham had been credited with a potential loan bid this January alongside Tottenham, Everton, Burnley and Newcastle.
The Magpies were the club most heavily linked with a move for Lingard, although reports suggested last week that United had slapped a £12million ‘survival bonus’ on their man to avoid Newcastle taking him next season.
And according to The Athletic, a move for Lingard is off after the England star was told by United chiefs that he would not be allowed to leave, despite Rangnick’s blessing.
A report by The Athletic earlier on deadline day suggested that Rangnick had given Lingard his blessing to leave on loan, placing the situation in the hands of United chiefs.
Rangnick was understood to have met with Lingard at Carrington on Monday morning, and gave him his wish to leave with the World Cup just nine months away.
Newcastle had reportedly made an improved offer for Lingard, whilst West Ham also bid for the star – and a move away from the club seemed close.
But United’s board have interjected to overrule Rangnick over any exit, meaning Lingard will stay at the club until the end of the season where he will depart on a free transfer.
United were reportedly unwilling to sanction a deal to let Lingard leave to current rivals, with West Ham and Tottenham both close to United in the table and in the hunt for a top-four spot.
Furthermore it was suggested that United’s chiefs did not want to let Lingard go to a potential future competitor in Newcastle, who are likely to spend vast amounts of money in the coming seasons given their newfound riches.
The Magpies being relegated would be beneficial to the Red Devils given the potential threat to major trophies that they pose in the coming years.
That is why United provided them with an astronomical quote when talks were underway.
“I don’t know [what’s going to happen], I know which players would want to leave,” Rangnick said earlier in the window.
“I know that there are some negotiations with clubs but I am not involved in that.
“I will probably be posted and made aware if something is happening. We will all have to wait and see what happens.”