Newcastle United have made Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard their top target ahead of the January transfer window.
That is according to the Times, who also claim that the Magpies would be willing to make him the highest paid player in their history by offering him well in excess of £100,000 per week.
The Newcastle hierarchy have already reportedly held talks with Lingard’s advisers with a four-and-a-half-year contract on the table.
Lingard is out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of this season and has no plans to extend his stay with his boyhood club as he goes in search of regular game time.
Despite him being able to depart for free in the summer, Newcastle are said to be willing to pay a significant fee in January to secure his services, as they look to strengthen their squad in the hope of Premier League survival.
The 28-year-old has also been linked with a move back to West Ham United next month, where he enjoyed an extremely successful loan spell in the second half of last season.
He scored nine goals and provided five assists in 16 matches for the Hammers, as he helped secure them sixth place and a spot in the Europa League.
And despite this lack of game time this season at Manchester United, where he is yet to start a single league game, he has already scored twice.
Should Newcastle manage to get the deal over the line, he would provide Eddie Howe with a much-needed goal threat from midfield, while also easing the creative burden on Allan Saint-Maximin’s shoulders at the moment.
