MANCHESTER UNITED are considering offering Jesse Lingard to Tottenham as part of a deal for striker Harry Kane, according to reports.
It was revealed by SunSport on Tuesday that the Red Devils and local rival Manchester City are preparing to hand the Spurs forward a five-year contract with a £300,000-a-week basic salary.
And now The Times are reporting that Lingard is being considered as a potential sweetener for Tottenham in a deal involving Kane.
However, Man Utd are also said to be cautious about attempting to negotiate with Lilywhites’ chairman Daniel Levy.
Man City is still thought to be Kane’s preferred destination if he is to depart North London this summer.
But the Premier League champions’ manager Pep Guardiola remained tight-lipped on any link to Kane when asked about the potential mega deal following his side’s defeat at Brighton.
He replied: “Next question, he is a Tottenham Hotspur player, please.”
Meanwhile, Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer offered a little more when he was asked whether they will be signing a striker.
The Norwegian said: “I can’t say we’re not signing a striker.
“We’re building towards a better squad. Hopefully we end up with a stronger squad when we start next season and be more consistent to challenge the one in front of us.”
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But when questioned specifically about Kane, Solskjaer shut the reporter down by adding: “I can’t talk about players that are in other teams.
“I think you know me well enough. I don’t think that’s very respectful of any team, any players.
“There are loads of good players out there. I could say Messi is interesting, and Ronaldo, but I can’t talk about them.”
Kane confirmed for a second time earlier this week his intent to leave Tottenham at the end of the 2020-21 campaign after the club’s poor season.
Spurs have missed out on Champions League qualification for the second season running and are also set to go another year without a trophy having lost the Carabao Cup final to Man City.
Yet despite his team’s disappointing campaign, Kane has had one of his best seasons in a white shirt.
The England captain has scored 32 goals and provided 16 assists for Tottenham.
His remarkable level of consistency – illustrated by the fact that he has scored 24 goals or more in each of the last seven seasons – has led to both Manchester clubs and Chelsea being interested in bringing him in.
Meanwhile, Lingard has rejuvenated his career with a wonderful loan spell at West Ham.
The England international, who was cutting a frustrated figure at Man Utd, joined the Hammers in January and has netted nine times in 14 games.
But if the Red Devils use him as part of a deal for Kane, he may not be able to secure a permanent transfer to West Ham in the summer.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
