Big guns circling Lingard

JESSE LINGARD is in talks with Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Newcastle as he prepares to leave Manchester United as a free agent this summer. Negotiations with two of the four clubs are said to be at an advanced stage after Lingard called time on his 22-year stay at Old Trafford. Sources close to Lingard have ruled out new manager Erik ten Hag persuading him to stay and sign a new contract. The 29-year-old is unhappy over his treatment by the club, feeling he has been the victim of too many broken promises. Lingard turned down loan moves last summer after being given assurances over his first-team opportunities by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but only made one start before the Norwegian was sacked in November. The academy product has been given a further three starts by interim boss Ralf Rangnick after Newcastle pulled out of a deal to sign him in January, when United demanded a £2.5million loan fee and £12.5m bonus if Eddie Howe’s side stayed up. Lingard’s brother Louie Scott hit out at United on social media this week, branding the club ‘classless’ for denying the England international an Old Trafford farewell before he leaves. Lingard was left on the bench for the last home game against Brentford while four other departing players — Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic, Edinson Cavani and Phil Jones — all made appearances. Newcastle have come back in for Lingard, but there is no shortage of admirers from around Europe for a player who has scored 35 goals in 232 appearances for United. Lingard believes leaving United will help him break back into the England squad before the World Cup at the end of the year. He played a key role as Gareth Southgate’s side reached the semi-finals in Russia four years ago, but missed out on Euro 2020 and last played for his country in October.