Former Manchester United star Jesse Lingard, currently a free agent, is reportedly being targeted by Dutch giants Feyenoord, where his old teammate Robin van Persie is in charge. This potential reunion comes in the wake of a devastating injury blow to Feyenoord youngster Shaqueel van Persie, the manager's son.
Lingard's Search for a New Club
The 33-year-old midfielder is actively seeking his next career move after being released by South Korean club Seoul in December upon the expiry of his contract. Lingard spent nearly two years in the K League, making 67 appearances for Seoul, during which he scored 19 goals and provided 10 assists.
During the recent January transfer window, the 32-time England international held discussions with several clubs in England and Italy. However, Feyenoord have now emerged as a serious contender for his signature, adding a new dimension to his options.
Injury Crisis Sparks Feyenoord Interest
The Dutch club's interest has intensified following a serious-looking injury suffered by Shaqueel van Persie during a Europa League match against Real Betis last week. Robin van Persie, serving as both manager and father, expressed his heartbreak over the incident.
"It's not looking good," Van Persie admitted after Feyenoord's 2-1 loss. "Tests have to point out how he's doing, but the first signs are not looking good. You hold your heart when any player goes down with an injury. It happened to be Shaqueel today, that's just how it is."
The manager added, "I'm a coach, but I'm also his father and I find this terrible. It's a bit of both. It's heartbreaking that he's going through this."
Potential United Reunion in Rotterdam
Although Lingard and Van Persie never played together in a competitive match for Manchester United, they did train together during the 2014 period when Lingard was breaking into the first team and Van Persie was winding down his Old Trafford career. More than a decade later, they could be reunited professionally in Rotterdam.
According to reports, Lingard wants to make a decision about his next club by the end of next week. The midfielder last played in Europe during the 2022-23 season with Nottingham Forest, which became his first permanent club following his release from Manchester United.
Lingard's Recent Career Trajectory
Lingard's career has taken several turns since his memorable loan spell with West Ham in 2021, where he enjoyed considerable success. Following his departure from United, where he wasn't offered a new deal, he joined Nottingham Forest before making the move to South Korea.
In a recent interview with the Guardian, the Warrington-born player revealed he remains open to various destinations for his next move, mentioning Europe, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE as potential options. This flexibility suggests he's considering both competitive football and potentially lucrative offers as he enters the latter stages of his career.
The potential move to Feyenoord represents an interesting opportunity for Lingard to return to European football at a club with Champions League aspirations, while also reuniting with a familiar face from his Manchester United days during a challenging period for the Dutch club.
