United to drop Lingard asking fee big time

EXCLUSIVE by CandH northern correspondent Terry Robbins

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MANCHESTER UNITED are willing to sell Jesse Lingard for a knockdown £10m fee in January, with the midfielder rejecting the club’s latest offer of £150,000-per-week personal terms.

Sources close to the situation have told Claret and Hugh the Red Devils have failed recently in a second attempt to convince Lingard to sign a new five-year agreement despite the offer of an extra £50k a week.

The Irons were being quoted £30m and £20m by United back in the summer but bosses at Old Trafford have “woken up” to the very real possibility Lingard is prepared to keep them sweating on running down the final six months of his contract.

He will be aware that the less he leaves for can be reflected in his personal terms by interested clubs – one of which is likely to be ourselves.

We understand United will make one final offer to the England international before trying to attract a bidder when the January window opens up, with Old Trafford execs believing a £10m valuation might be enough to conjure up interest and a club Lingard may yet consider.

United put the block on Lingard joining Irons last summer following his impressive six-month loan at the London Stadium last season.

A source told us: “Jesse has not budged, he is enjoying being back at United but the club want his contract sorted, purely in terms of now protecting the asset.

“Lingard is still holding all the cards but United would now rather get £10m in January than zero in July. It’s hoped an agreement can be found but United believe a number of clubs would be takers at the major discounted price.”