Jesse Lingard has been a free agent since June and it’s now emerged Wolves had considered possibly signing him for free in the summer.
Former Manchester United player Jesse Lingard is something of a forgotten player these days after a failed year with Nottingham Forest.
The winger come midfielder left Old Trafford in 2022 where he then signed a lucrative £115k-a-week deal with Forest with the view of him being their key man.
It didn’t work out that way and due to some eye-watering bonuses, Lingard clashed with the Forest hierarchy.
This led to him departing the City Ground last summer and he is still without a club six months later however it’s now been reported that he has had no shortage of interest, including Wolves.
Jesse Lingard was on Wolves’ list last summer
Last summer the Molineux outfit’s transfer window was defined by the financial constraints they were under as to avoid any financial punishments.
Now, The Athletic have mentioned that Old Gold were mulling over the prospect of making a move to sign one of the hottest free agents of the summer, Lingard.
They wrote, “Wolves toyed with the idea of moving for him [last summer].”
Ultimately Wolves must have decided the demands didn’t quite match up to the level of footballer they’d be getting in return. This seems to have been the correct call as no other club signed him either not even the money lined Saudi Arabian sides.
Lingard at one point looked sure to be returning to West Ham, even featuring for the Hammers in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Ipswich Town.
One thing that is worth noting however, is that Lingard remains a free agent and could be on the cards for a move in January with the question being will Wolves return for the 31-year-old.
Wolves are unlikely to move for Lingard
A lot has changed since the summer for Wolves and a deal for Lingard makes even less sense than it did months ago and also two years ago when the first Lingard links were made.
For a start the manager has changed and while Julen Lopetegui may have not minded the big names, Gary O’Neil won’t be keen on adding a personality like Lingard to his squad.
The 32-cap England international also would request probably a squad leading salary, which he really isn’t worth.
Lingard’s best positions are also areas in which Wolves are stacked, with Pablo Sarabia, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Matheus Cunha all better choices.
Therefore, it’s unlikely Wolves resume their interest in Lingard, with other priorities likely to be focussed on instead such as a striker.