Former Manchester United star remains a free transfer option for Barcelona – report
With two weeks left to go in the winter transfer window, FC Barcelona are currently not in a position to make any signings. The prospect of bringing in a new face is considered almost impossible given that there is no margin for fair play in La Liga.
Given Libero Football Finance’s non-compliance with the payment it was supposed to make for part of Barça Vision, the options open to the Catalans are minimal, although a last-minute move before the end of the month cannot be ruled out.
Jesse Lingard remains an option
And, as per Sergi Sole of Mundo Deportivo, former Manchester United star Jesse Lingard, who is without a club currently, remains an option for Barcelona as a free transfer signing.
After making 232 appearances for Manchester United, Lingard left the club in search of regular minutes. He played for Nottingham Forest last season and came close to a move to the Saudi Arabian Premier League this past summer.
Despite training in the Middle East for two weeks, no deal was agreed. While Lingard has the option of the MLS in the USA, he still dreams of playing in Europe’s elite.
As such, money would not now be an obstacle if Barça are able and willing to activate the option of a player.
Lingard already sounded Barcelona out in the winter transfer window in 2022, which ended with Ferran Torres landing at Camp Nou. And recent reports have suggested that he has once again offered himself to the club.
The English player’s versatility and his ability to get into the box are his greatest strengths, as he can play as an attacking midfielder and also as a winger on both flanks.
As he is unattached to any club, Barcelona could register Lingard at any time in La Liga but not for the Round of 16 and the rest of the Champions League as UEFA closes the deadline on 2 February at midnight.
The option remains on the table for now and it remains to be seen if the Catalans are willing to take it up or not.
