Everton enter talks to sign Jesse Lingard on free transfer
Everton have opened talks with former Manchester United attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard over a free transfer, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Frank Lampard needs to find reinforcements in attack after Richarlison was sold to Tottenham Hotspur for £60million on Friday (1 July) and he has identified the England international as a potential candidate.
The Toffees have already begun talks with Lingard’s representatives and the Echo understands that the 29-year-old could be tempted by a move to Merseyside as he would not need to relocate.
His contract at Old Trafford expired on Thursday (30 June) which makes him available for free, with the exception of agent fees and a signing-on fee, but West Ham have long been interested in their former loanee.
Lingard is thought to tick plenty of boxes for the hierarchy at Goodison Park with the low costs in the deal and his previous performances in the Premier League piquing Lampard’s interest.
No brainer
Most transfers require a good deal of thought before a club goes ahead with negotiations but this conversation should be a very simple one that concludes almost instantly.
You don’t often get the chance to sign a recent England international at a good age for nothing and it’s a big surprise to see that he isn’t being contacted by more clubs in the Premier League.
We could get a good three of four years of top-quality performances out of Lingard if he chooses Everton over West Ham this summer and he can provide a good replacement for Richarlison after his move to the capital.
It’s highly doubtful he will be as good as the Brazilian but that’s not what anybody is expecting of him at the moment.
All we want from Lingard is him to find his smile on the pitch again and feel free enough to release the shackles that United put on him throughout his career.