Lingard fee set to become far more realistic

Manchester United’s £20-£30 million price tag on Jesse Lingard is over the top and the Old Trafford club are likely to have to settle for much less once negotiations get underway.

That is affected by his slip from the highs of his opening games and missing out on the Three Lions Euro squad.

At 28 years of age and with just a year left on his deal |United will be having to settle for something closer to £15 million according to agents well known to Claret and Hugh.

With covid still a problem on finances  the two clubs will also need to organise a payment instalment system which  takes account of difficulties on both sides

Despite a story in the Sun claiming the attacking midfielder wants to stay at the club, senior sources at OT have made it clear to us that a West Ham switch is the more likely outcome.

However, nothing is likely to be sorted until after the Euros with David Moyes involved as a technical consultant at the competition.

Several agents have told us they believe a fee of between £15m – £18 million is far more realistic with personal fees over three years to be organised at around £100k a week with one saying: “Anything more than that is OTT at Jesse’s age given his lack of football over a year.”