PIF plot NUFC move for "absolutely phenomenal" £80k-p/w gem, he can transform them - opinion

An update has emerged on Newcastle United’s interest in Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard…

According to i News, the Magpies have remained in contact with the 29-year-old’s representatives after failing to land him in January, with PIF plotting a revived swoop.

The report claimed that he may have a number of clubs interested in landing him, as he is set to become a free agent upon the expiry of his contract at Old Trafford this summer.

A deal to sign the £80k-per-week magician can transform Eddie Howe’s team, as Lingard would bring something different to the table which would allow the 44-year-old to deploy a more progressive approach on the pitch.

The Magpies do not currently own an attacking midfielder with the quality to both score and set up goals from a number 10 position. Joe Willock is the closest player that Howe has to one, in the sense that the 22-year-old has shown that he can score from midfield, but he has faltered this term with just two goals and zero assists in the Premier League.

Last season, Willock and Lingard both enjoyed purple patches as they were on loan to Newcastle and West Ham from Arsenal and Manchester United respectively, but how did their respective runs of form stack up against each other? Here is how they fared for both of their loan clubs during the 2020/21 campaign…

These statistics, provided by SofaScore, highlight the difference in quality between the two players. Whilst they can both score goals in the top flight, Lingard is far more creative and capable of linking the play than Willock, which is why he would be suited to a number 10 position at St  James’ Park.

The 29-year-old was hailed as “absolutely phenomenal” by talkSPORT pundit Adrian Durham last year, and the