ESPN have reported that Jesse Lingard is Tottenham Hotspur’s and Antonio Conte’s next target.
The 29-year-old looked on course for a career revival after a blistering six months at West Ham United. Lingard chose to return to his parent club, Manchester United, to fight for a spot in the team.
That turned out to be a mistake and the midfielder is back to square one. However, his performances at West Ham are still fresh in the memories of many scouts and managers who are interested in having him replicate those performances at their clubs.
ESPN reports that outside of England, Barcelona and AC Milan are interested in the midfielder.
The latest Premier League club to be interested in Lingard is Tottenham Hotspur, who are in the midst of a squad rebuild.
Lingard, however, is assessing his options and will be making a final decision at the end of the season, as he is determined to play football for United this season.
His decision will be geared towards finding a club that will offer him regular first team football that will help him get back into the England squad ahead of the December 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Spurs begin contract extension talks with Lloris
Antonio Conte has revealed that the club and Hugo Lloris have begun talks over the captain’s contract extension.
Lloris is out of a contract with Spurs in the summer but it is believed that both parties are willing to extend their relationship.
Conte’s latest statement proves and confirms this and Spurs fans can look forward to the 35-year-old World Cup winner’s extended stay at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
“I think so, I think that they have started to talk. You know very well what I think about Hugo,” said Conte.
“Also previously I spoke and said that he’s our captain, he is a top goalkeeper for us, he has great experience. He knows very well Tottenham.
“He loves this shirt and this badge. For me he is an important player and I’m sure that they are going to find a solution for him to continue to play with Tottenham.
“I think and I repeat because I am not the person that speaks to renew the contract with the players. There is the club and the people that do this, but for sure I am very confident about this situation to be positive.”
Conte gives update about Spurs transfer window plans
Conte also spoke about his meeting with Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy, the club’s director of football Fabio Paratici, and the technical performance director Steve Hitchen.
“It was a good meeting also because when you have the possibility to speak to the owner and the sporting director – with Paratici I have the possibility to speak every day – but to have the possibility to speak with our owner it was important,” he said.
“Also because I like to have this type of relationship, to be honest and to always tell the truth. You know I don’t like to tell a good lie to keep a good relationship or to show me very soft or to be too polite.
“It was good to tell the truth and it was a good meeting. Now for me it’s ok, I asked the club time to take my evaluation. The club asked after one month to have a meeting and I said no, I prefer to have another month to make the right evaluation. It’s honest, to give more time to me and also the players, to show me who deserves to stay here.
“Now the situation is very clear and I had this meeting, I was satisfied to have this conversation with the owner and now it’s ok for me.
“Now I have only one way. It’s on the pitch and the training sessions every day. My only way to improve the situation is to improve the level of my players and this way the level of the team is going to rise.
“Then, the club know the situation and if they want to help me another way I appreciate it. Otherwise, I continue to work the way I am working.”
