Jesse Lingard open to idea of making Saudi Arabia move
- Oscar Sanders
- 28 June 2023
Former Manchester United and Nottingham Forest midfielder Jesse Lingard has revealed he is considering a move to the Saudi Pro League.
Former Manchester United and Nottingham Forest midfielder Jesse Lingard could become the latest player to ply his trade in Saudi Arabia.
Lingard is a free agent after his contract with Forest expired. The 30-year-old had an injury-plagued season meaning he made just 20 appearances for Steve Cooper's side in which he failed to really impress.
The Warrington-born Lingard had been linked with joining Major Soccer League side DC United, but the coach of the US club side Wayne Rooney was quick to shut down the rumours.
In the wake of that, Lingard admits he is now open to joining a Saudi Pro League side, which means he would become the latest player to do so after the high-profile moves of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
"I've never ruled any team out, any club out, so for me it's picking the right team. It's got to be right for me. I just want to play football at the end of the day. The project has got to be well-suited for me. The team's got to be good and in the right direction. Literally, it's just regular game time. I'm still hungry, I'm working hard and I'm going to be ready when called upon," he said.
"Saudi Arabia are doing big things. In the next year or so, the next couple of years, it will be one of the hot spots to go to. I'm not really surprised big names are moving out there, they're doing big things. It's something I'm obviously going to consider as well, I've not ruled that out either. It's just got to be right for me at the end of the day."
