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According to talkSPORT (h/t Daily Mail), Tottenham have joined the race to sign Manchester United struggler Jesse Lingard. It definitely comes as a bit of a surprise that the Manchester United outcast has been linked with Spurs. But it could give him the chance to reunite with Jose Mourinho. West Ham and Sheffield United are also said to be after the Englishman.
From an outside view, Tottenham have one of the more balanced squads in the league. They have decent first-team players backed up by equally adept players. Every position looks set as the side aims to return to the Champions League places.
However, the side has struggled in recent times and could be in need of some fresh faces. Another factor has been Dele Alli’s future. The midfielder has been linked with an exit in recent times, with PSG doing the rounds (h/t Football.london).
There is also the case of Gedson Fernandes, who could be allowed to return to Benfica after an underwhelming loan spell. That makes the midfield look a bit light and surely, another player might need to come in.
It’s quite baffling as to how a squad option at Manchester United is a transfer target for Spurs. The North London club have had a near-perfect transfer window but they still need to add to that.
Yes, Lingard is a player Mourinho used quite frequently during his time at United but this deal hardly makes for good reading. Signing an out-of-form 28-year-old is hardly keeping in line with the players Tottenham have bought during the window.
He does have a good work ethic and is versatile but it still doesn’t tip the scales in favour of a transfer. Players like Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele will always be ahead of Lingard in case he does make the switch. This is one transfer the club should avoid by all means. Even if Dele Alli leaves, it hardly makes sense to replace him with someone like Jesse Lingard.
There is no logic behind this transfer despite him giving the outlook of a like-to-like replacement. Lingard is yet to have a good season (except for 2017-18), at 28 years of age. He has been inconsistent throughout his career and Spurs would be better off without the out-of-favour Manchester United man.