Jesse Lingard, 33, is a free agent after leaving South Korean side FC Seoul in December and has held talks with a variety of clubs in the January transfer window
Jesse Lingard #10 of FC Seoul
Jesse Lingard is a free agent after leaving FC Seoul(Image: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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Former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard is mulling over his future after holding talks with Premier League and Serie A sides. The 33-year-old is a free agent after leaving FC Seoul in December and is poised to make a return to European football.
Lingard made a surprise move to the South Korean capital when he signed a two-year contract with FC Seoul in February 2024. He made 67 appearances for Seoul, contributing 19 goals and 10 assists, as he embraced the change of scenery following a difficult spell in England, which ended at Nottingham Forest.
He claimed to have had 26 clubs around the world interested in acquiring his services before he moved to Seoul. And there are still plenty of teams interested in signing the midfielder who has 32 caps and six goals for England.
The Daily Mail says he has talked with British clubs, including Premier League sides, but there are now 'advanced talks' with Serie A sides. If he does move to Italy, he would join other former Manchester United players Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay, who are playing for Napoli.
Lingard came through the United academy and spent 11 years in the first team, although much of that time was spent on loan with Leicester, Birmingham, Brighton, Derby and West Ham. After signing a one-year deal, he spent the 2022/23 season with Forest before venturing to South Korea, where he had fresh experiences.
Posting on Instagram after leaving, he wrote: "My time in South Korea has been unbelievable – the football, the atmosphere and the passion around this club have been top class.
"The love, support and the appreciation you have shown towards me for these last two years has been truly amazing. I'll always be grateful for the opportunity to play for such a massive club."
Jesse Lingard #10 of FC Seoul
Jesse Lingard enjoyed his time at FC Seoul (Image: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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Former United striker Dwight Yorke has suggested Wrexham as a good destination for Lingard. "If he were to go to Wrexham, that wouldn't be a surprise either. Maybe he feels it's time to come back home to be closer to his daughter and help Wrexham get promoted to the Premier League," he said. "That could be one last rodeo for him, and I've experienced the advantages of joining a Championship team.
"I did it at Sunderland when they were 23rd, and we got promoted as champions. It can be done, and it's a way to get Jesse back to a level I'm sure he's craving. I would certainly consider it. Wrexham are a very ambitious team with wealthy backers, making good progress and currently sitting mid-table in the Championship."
He added: "I would tell Jesse to look at it, as I'm a prime example that it's possible. When it's done, it's a fantastic achievement and before you know it, you're playing Premier League football again when you thought it was all doom and gloom. I encourage him to look at it."
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