Newcastle now 'hopeful that they can sign' Trippier's good friend - Ben Jacobs

Journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed on the NUFC Matters YouTube channel that Newcastle United still hold an interest in Jesse Lingard.

The England international was seen as a transfer target for Newcastle back in January, only for his former club to make negotiations rather difficult by wanting to put clauses and fees in any potential loan deal.

Lingard is now a free agent after running down his contract at Manchester United and it appears that he has a few suitors in the Premier League, including Newcastle and former club West Ham, although his desired wages are said to be a stumbling block.

Jacobs believes that despite other clubs showing interest in Lingard, Eddie Howe is still a big fan.

He said: “Nothing other than Dan Ashworth’s arrival has really changed on the Lingard front. So we know that he’s a player that Eddie Howe really admires, and I think Newcastle United are still reasonably hopeful that they can sign him.

“The challenge is just that there’s a lot more interest now in Lingard than there was in January, and then Newcastle have explored other targets ahead of him.

“So [Hugo] Ekitike we know was the priority, Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin – these were still approached ahead of Lingard earlier in the window, so 2-3 weeks ago, but very much still a player on Newcastle United’s radar.”

TIF Thoughts on Newcastle’s interest in Lingard…

It has been reported recently that West Ham are looking to bring Lingard back to the London Stadium and are confident of signing the midfielder on a permanent basis, which will be bad news for Eddie Howe and Newcastle.

While Lingard, who is good friends with Kieran Trippier, could likely be a top signing for the Magpies, he doesn’t appear to be a necessity right at the moment,