January is usually a good time to pick up loan signings, nobody wants to pay over the odds, which is why players like Jesse Lingard have been linked with Rangers in the past.
The 32-times capped England international was reportedly a 2021 winter window target, however, no move to Ibrox ever materialised, instead a short-term transfer to West Ham United saw him rediscover his best form.
Now, at 31-years old and having barely kicked a ball since that season, Jesse Lingard wouldn’t remotely be considered for Rangers which makes the latest rumour even more bizarre.
Jesse Lingard tries to fall upwards years from Rangers link
Last season, he played just over 1000 minutes for Nottingham Forest.
The season before, barely 500 for Man Utd.
He missed all of pre-season and hasn’t kicked a ball at all during this campaign, failing to seal a move to Saudi Arabia, amazingly because of his wage demands.
So how, according to Spanish outlet Sport, could he possibly think that Barcelona would be willing to take a punt on him?
Yes, the La Liga giants are hamstrung by Financial Fair Play regulations but are they really that desperate that they would sign someone who wouldn’t be considered for Rangers squad any more?
Jesse Lingard was always a moments player and not really the type that would be truly welcomed at Ibrox.
For an attacking midfielder/forward to only have 58 senior goals (and fewer assists) in their whole career when most of it was spent in the first-team at Man Utd, doesn’t suggest they will buck that trend now.
Especially after a period of such inactivity and poor form.
Lingard was never blessed with pace or one attribute that made him stand out from the crowd but a series of goals on big occasions gave him longer at elite level than maybe others were afforded.
That time is long since gone though and hoping that Barcelona will take a punt because they are skint is really clutching at straws.
They might not be able to spend the money that they once did, but they still have standards.
