Arsenal have targeted Jesse Lingard in response to Manchester United’s interest in Mesut Ozil.
Last month, it was reported that Jose Mourinho is set to make a big-money move for Ozil, who has 18 months left to run on his existing deal at Arsenal.
It’s thought that United are able to offer the German playmaker at least £300,000-a-week and ready to rock the boat when the time is right.
However, The Sun now suggests the Gunners are ready to offer Lingard a double-your-money salary to join Arsenal.
The 23-year-old England international’s contract is set to expire at the end of next season and is reportedly in Arsene Wenger’s sights. And with no talks over a new deal to remain at Old Trafford yet, Arsenal are considering offering him £120,000-a-week to join the north London club.
Wenger is desperate to keep hold of Ozil, and negotiations over a new deal have apparently halted. But when asked earlier in the week if it was a concern, the Frenchman said that no matter whether he extends his stay at Arsenal, the German international will remain at the club until his contract expires.
Should a deal not be agreed by the end of the current season, Mourinho, and other potential suitors, will be aware that Ozil’s market value would have dropped significantly over the summer with just a year left on his contract.
