Ex-Man Utd star Jesse Lingard ‘to be handed career lifeline by Premier League side’ after seven months unemployed

JESSE LINGARD is set to be offered a return to the Premier League with Everton, according to reports.

The former Manchester United star, 31, has been a free agent since his Nottingham Forest contract expired in the summer.

Jesse Lingard could be set for a Premier League returnPA

But now he could be handed a lifeline by Sean Dyche‘s men after seven months in the wilderness.

According to talkSPORT, Everton, who sit 17th following their 10-point deduction, are considering handing the ex-England international a short-term contract until the end of the season.

Lingard has trained with West Ham and Steven Gerrard’s Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq since leaving Forest.

But he failed to agree a deal with either side during the first half of the season.

In the 2022/23 campaign, Lingard contributed just two goals and two assists in 20 games for Forest.

And he did not manage a single goal contribution in the Premier League for Steve Cooper’s men.

The dismal season led to Forest releasing him at the end of his one-year contract.

But Dyche may still see something in the attacking midfielder – who scored 35 goals and provided 21 assists in 232 matches for boyhood club Man Utd.

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Everton face competition from 2021 Ligue 1 champions Lille – who were linked with a move for Lingard at the end of December.

A free transfer to North America is another option ahead of the new MLS season which starts in February.

Lingard has 32 caps and six goals for England, but has not featured since 2021.

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