STEVEN GERRARD’S Al-Ettifaq are prepared to axe foreign players to bring in Jesse Lingard, according to reports.
Former Manchester United man Lingard, 30, has been a free agent since being released by Nottingham Forest in the summer.
He was training with West Ham but left them to join up with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq – who are coached by Liverpool legend Gerrard, 43.
Lingard is yet to pen a deal with the Middle East outfit due to a limit on foreign players in the Saudi league.
Clubs are allowed a maximum of eight in a match-day squad, with Al-Ettifaq currently boasting 10 on their books.
They include Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, Demarai Gray and Moussa Dembele.
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Now, according to ESPN, Al-Ettifaq are attempting to move some of those on to create room for Lingard.
It is understood Sweden international Robin Quaison and Brazilian winger Vitinho are two who could potentially make way.
Gerrard is believed to be “keen” on Lingard – who scored in a friendly earlier this month.
Another possible destination for the former West Ham loanee is Osasuna who are thought to be interested in him.
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Lingard, who has racked up 32 caps for England, contributed 35 goals and 21 assists in 232 games for boyhood club Man Utd.
But he failed to have any sort of impact at Nottingham Forest last season, scoring just twice and providing two assists in 20 appearances.
Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq sit seventh in the Saudi Pro League having won five of their opening nine games.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
