Former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard, who is currently a free agent, has been linked with a shock move to European giants Barcelona.
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Lingard looking for new clubTraining alone in DubaiLinked with Barcelona moveGetty/InstagramWHAT HAPPENED?
The 31-year-old has been in search for a new team since his contract at Nottingham Forest expired last summer. The attacking midfielder has been training on his own in Dubai to keep up his fitness, in the hope a club may recruit him, and now he has been 'offered' to Barcelona, according to Spanish publication Sport.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The former Manchester United man had trials at West Ham and Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq in late 2023 but neither move came to fruition. After these setbacks, talk of a move to Barca seems fanciful but says the ex-England international has 'put himself within the reach' of the club and the fact he is a free agent fits into their Financial Fair Play budget, so long as he plays for less than €2 million (£1.7m) for the rest of the season.
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Before signing for Forest in 2022, the former West Ham loan star reportedly had long-term offers from Newcastle United and Fulham on the table, but he chose to go to the City Ground on a more lucrative deal – only for the move to fail dramatically.
WHAT NEXT?
While Lingard looks to resurrect his career, something he vowed to do in 2024, he will continue to train alone in Dubai. He has been linked with a move to a MLS team but that has not yet come to pass. The former Forest man will not want to be inactive for too long, and a fresh start at Barca would put him right back into the spotlight.