KEY POINTS

  • Manchester United's Lingard has been named in a potential swap deal for Declan Rice 
  • Manchester United winger has been eyed by West Ham United
  • Both clubs stand to benefit if a deal comes to fruition

The transfer window is set to close on August 31, and clubs around Europe are making the most out of what little time remains--including Manchester United.

The Red Devils are reportedly in talks with West Ham United once again for Declan Rice, but this time, there are talks of a player swap that features wingerJesse Lingard.

Lingard spent most of the last season with West Ham United on a loan deal as he searched for his bearings in the English Premier League.

He was quite an effective player for them as he scored nine goals in 16 appearances, helping carry West Ham United to a sixth-place finish, only two points behind fourth-place Chelsea in the league table.

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer suggested that Lingard was not going to be sold this summer as he had plans for him going into the new season.

The Hammers have been eyeing Lingard since the end of his loan spell with them and have been keen on signing him permanently as he has been a club and fan favorite over at the London Stadium.

Jesse Lingard
Jesse Lingard of Manchester United during the pre-season friendly between Manchester United and Brentford at Old Trafford on July 28, 2021 in Manchester, England. Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

Lingard was featured heavily during Manchester United’s pre-season fixtures but remained on the bench in their 5-1 victory at Old Trafford over Leeds United.

It is widely believed that due to the arrival of Jadon Sancho, Lingard’s opportunities to play for Solskjaer’s side have become miniscule.

West Ham United’s Rice is reportedly unhappy with the club’s £100 million ($136.2 million) asking price for him and the defense-oriented midfielder is looking into ways of leaving the club.

Alienating Rice will only serve to work in Manchester United’s favor as they are very much in need of another player to help better their chances at winning the league title.

Club legend Gary Neville mentioned recently that Harry Kane should be the one they target, but bringing Rice over to their side should be a solid move as well.

This is a win-win situation for all parties involved, should it come to fruition, as Lingard gets all the playing time he wants with the Hammers and Rice has a chance at competing for the UEFA Champions League trophy with Manchester United.

This is certainly a development that fans of both clubs should be on the lookout for in the days leading up to the end of the transfer window.

RELATED STORIES