Newcastle United ‘open talks’ with Man Utd star as bid for Serie A midfielder is ‘rejected’

Newcastle United have reportedly opened talks with former Manchester United star Jesse Lingard.

The England midfielder was released by the 13-time Premier League champions at the end of last season as his 22-year association with his boyhood club was brought to a close.

The Magpies were heavily linked with a move for Lingard during the January transfer window as they looked to take advantage of the uncertainty surrounding his future.

But that interest seemed to have waned following his release as Newcastle turned their focus elsewhere due to concerns over wages demands said to be in excess of £150,000 a week.

However, with Lingard still without a club as pre-season gets underway, the Magpies have reportedly revived their bid as they look to see off interest from Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.

The Mirror have suggested Newcastle have ‘opened talks’ with Lingard and his representatives as they look to improve their options at the top end of the pitch.

West Ham United also remain interested in the 29-year-old after he impressed throughout a loan spell at the London Stadium during the second half of the 2020/21 season.

Magpies see bid for Serie A star ‘rejected’

Reports in Italy suggest Newcastle have been rebuffed in their efforts to sign Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

The Serbian international has been linked with a move to the Premier League on several occasions over the last years with Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal cited as possible destinations.

Newcastle and Chelsea have now been added to that list and a report in Il Messaggero has suggested both clubs have seen £47million offers rejected in recent days.

Lazio are said to be holding out for an offer of around £69million and manager Maurizio Sarri is said to be keen on seeing his midfielder move to Stamford Bridge in a loan deal that would see Emerson and Ruben Loftus-Cheek move into the opposite direction.

Sarri has already suggested Milinkovic-Savic will leave Serie A if he departs Lazio this summer.

Speaking earlier this year, the former Chelsea boss said: “Speaking to the President, I have become convinced that if Milinkovic does leave, and that will not happen easily, he will not remain in Italy.”