“I have to be honest": Sky Sports reporter drops Tottenham transfer claim involving England man

Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge hopes that Tottenham Hotspur have moved onto different targets than Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard by the summer.

Spurs were one of several sides linked with a move for the 29-year-old throughout the January transfer window as new manager Antonio Conte looked to reinforce his first-team squad.

According to the Daily Mail, United rejected approaches from West Ham and Tottenham for Lingard last month as they are viewed as top-four rivals.

An agreement could not be reached with Newcastle either as the relegation-threatened side baulked at the finances involved in any potential deal for the 32-cap England international.

The Red Devils were reportedly demanding a £12 million survival bonus if the Magpies stay in the Premier League on top of a £2.5m loan fee and Lingard’s £100,000-per-week wages.

Despite the creative talent only featuring in 273 minutes of action across all competitions so far this season, he eventually stayed put and is now set to depart on a free transfer following the conclusion of 2021/22.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano recently revealed on the latest edition of Rio Ferdinand presents FIVE that Lingard will leave in the summer and that West Ham and Spurs are still eager to snap him up.

With Anthony Martial, Amad Diallo and Donny van de Beek all departing on during the winter window, Ralf Rangnick deemed Lingard too important to his plans and blocked his exit.

However, with his contract set to expire in June, Lingard is expected to seek pastures new, yet Bridge is hoping Spurs have identified alternative attacking options by then.

He told GiveMeSport: “I have to be honest, originally, I thought it was for this January, but then there was clarity that it was for the