Lingard’s huge Newcastle financial chance

The Geordies have promised to pay the Manchester United midfielder the sum if they manage to avoid relegation and he commits to a permanent deal to remain at St James’ Park.

Newly-minted Newcastle had a £2.5m loan offer rejected by United on Wednesday afternoon for Jesse, who wants to be playing regular football between now and the end of the campaign to keep alive his dreams of representing England at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

Old Trafford insiders have told us the Red Devils are holding firm and demanding a £4m loan fee, on top of Newcastle paying his entire £100,000-per-week wages.

That was the same as the fee they charged West Ham when the attacking midfielder joined us on last season’s loan spell.

Lingard is open to a loan move but the word inside Old Trafford is the player does not want to commit his long-term future to the Toon Army, and Irons may remain as a destination for his permanent signature.

However, the new Saudi-backed regime up in the North East have also intimated they are prepared to pay the 29-year-old a £10m signing-on fee if he agrees to stay put – a figure even Hammers might think twice about – despite Jesse being a free agent.

Our source in Manchester told us: “Newcastle has made it clear they like Jesse, but United are holding out for the maximum loan fee.