Man Utd star ‘not keen’ to be used in Declan Rice transfer swap
Man Utd: Jadon Sancho in profile
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Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard reportedly does not want to be used as makeweight in a deal that would see the Red Devils sign West Ham star Declan Rice.
Lingard enjoyed a successful loan with the Hammers in the second half of last season and has been linked to a permanent switch in a deal that could see England international Rice head in the other direction.
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to sign a midfielder this summer having all but secured a transfer for Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho.
The Norwegian also wants a defender and Rice could fill both roles.
Rice played alongside Lingard last season and the duo helped West Ham qualify for the Europa League for the first time in four years.
David Moyes’ side finished sixth and Lingard’s nine goals in 16 games were key to their success.
Former United boss Moyes has admitted that he would like to keep Lingard and Rice at West Ham as he plans a Europa League run.
There have been suggestions that West Ham could negotiate a move for Lingard into any offer United make for Rice, who is widely believed to be valued at around £80million.
However, ESPN report that Lingard would be unwilling to be used as makeweight in any deal for Rice.
The latter has starred for England at Euro 2020 and is set to start Wednesday’s semi-final against Denmark.
Lingard has only a year remaining on his United contract and has previously suggested that he would be open to departing in search of frequent game time.
The 28-year-old has appeared in just under half of Solskjaer’s games in charge and was allowed to leave on loan to the Hammers in January, suggesting that his time with the Red Devils is nearly over.
“Regular football is the most important thing for me,” Lingard told Sky Sports in June.
“After going on loan and getting a good run in the team, you started to see the real me, with the goals and the assists.
“I’ve never doubted my ability, I’ve always believed in myself. I spoke to the manager in pre-season and said, ‘I need game time’.
“He (Solskjaer) said, ‘we can discuss it December time’, and we spoke again and he agreed to let me go on loan.
“I had various conversations with him during my time at West Ham. He was very supportive and it was a great loan for me.”
Rice is one of several transfer targets for United as Solskjaer prepares a Premier League title bid.
His England team-mate Sancho will complete a medical at Old Trafford ahead of a £73m move.
Sancho will complete Solskjaer’s attacking options and will likely fill the manager’s problematic right-wing role, where no player has been entirely convincing.
The 18-year-old Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga has also emerged as a possible summer signing.
Camavinga has a year remaining on his Rennes contract and the Ligue 1 side would prefer to see him leave this year instead of departing for free next summer.
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