Arsenal are reportedly planning a summer attempt to sign Manchester United contract rebel Jesse Lingard. The England international has stalled over a contract extension despite approaching the final year of his contract.
Lingard, 24, has been in a standoff with the Red Devils since the turn of the year with the club’s hierarchy unwilling to come close to his hefty wage demands.
The Three Lions attacker is said to want wages of around £100,000-a-week – more than thrice of his current salary, and this has urged United to slow down negotiations over a fresh deal.
Back in December 2016, Arsenal had been credited with an interest in the 24-year-old, and The Sun reveals that the Gunners alongside Chelsea are keeping tabs on the United winger.
Lingard made his breakthrough under former boss Louis van Gaal during the start of last term and he has since gone on to score vital goals in the finals of the FA Cup (last season), Community Shield and EFL Cup – all in winning situations.
Arsene Wenger’s team are currently assessing the futures of both Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lucas Perez, who could leave the Emirates in the summer, and this appears to have brought Lingard onto their focus.
Nevertheless, the north London giants will have to ward off interest from neighbours Chelsea, who see Lingard as a potential competitor to Victor Moses for the right wing-back position.
Lingard has been with the Red Devils since the age of seven, and after having gone through the youth system, he has made himself a regular in the United first-team.
Former graduate Danny Welbeck linked up with the Gunners from Old Trafford in a surprise deal in the summer of 2014, and Lingard could well be the next, should United fail to convince the player to accept a lesser wage package.
