JESSE LINGARD may turn down a move to Tottenham because he ‘would rather move abroad’, reports claim.
The Manchester United star will be out of contract in the summer, with a host of teams showing interest.
Newcastle and West Ham were particularly interested in signing the 29-year-old last month, although the Red Devils rejected their offers.
Spurs are another team that have ‘contacted’ Lingard’s representatives as his deal ends.
Although according to Football London, the England attacking midfielder has shown “some indications” that he would prefer to play abroad next season.
Lingard has barely featured for Man United this season and will be desperate to ensure he is a first-team regular at his next posting.
He has played just 106 minutes of Premier League football this term in 11 appearances.
The 32-cap international will also be keen to arrive in time for the World Cup in Qatar this winter.
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Lingard was a key figure during England’s run to the semi-finals in Russia four years ago.
But even his brilliant loan spell at West Ham last year did not earn him a place in Gareth Southgate’s final squad for Euro 2020.
In the meantime, Tottenham are set to keep a close eye on the free transfer market, something managing director Fabio Paratici used to do with former club Juventus.
Spurs are likely to consider moves so that stars like Franck Kessie and Paulo Dybala will soon be out of contract.
Boss Antonio Conte has made a scathing assessment of his team’s work in the January transfer window.
He said Sky Sports Italia: “It is always difficult to make comparisons, but if I had to find something similar it would be the lack of confidence that is inevitable when you start working at a club that has not won for a long time.
More than strengthening the squad, on paper we weaken it
antonio conte
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“I saw some situations from the outside that could develop, but when you get involved you realize that something… What happened in January was not easy.
“We lost four players in January. Four important players for Tottenham, and we brought only two.
“So even in terms of numbers, instead of strengthening the team, we weakened it on paper.
“Bentancur and Kulusevski are ideal prospects for Tottenham, because Tottenham are looking for young players who can develop and grow, not players who are ready. That’s the problem”.
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