Eight destinations for Jesse Lingard after Man Utd contract talks break down

And so, the Jesse Lingard saga rumbles on.

Having dazzled while on loan with West Ham last season, where he helped fire them into Europe, the 28-year-old looked set to reignite his Manchester United career as he earned another chance under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

However, that chance has failed to come to pass. Having started just one game this season and played 76 minutes worth of football at United, largely as a substitute, talks over a new Old Trafford contract have collapsed.

Lingard, who has featured for England as often as he has United this season despite being overlooked by Gareth Southgate in his latest squad, now seems desperate to once again seek first-team opportunities elsewhere instead of being left to rot on the Red Devils' bench.

Despite United enduring a torrid run of results recently, which have included a double demolition by their fiercest of rivals, a 5-0 home defeat to Liverpool and a 2-0 loss to Manchester City, Solskjaer has still not entrusted Lingard with game-time amid calls to freshen up his struggling side.

With the boyhood United fan set to cut his losses and depart the club he has been at since seven years of age, possibly on an initial loan deal, Mirror Football takes a closer look at Lingard's potential destinations.

West Ham

The Hammers have made no secret of their desire to bring Lingard back to east London having failed to secure his signing on a permanent transfer in the summer following a scintilating loan spell.

West Ham were reportedly one of six clubs who enquired about Lingard's availability but United held firm as they very much saw him as part of their plans for this season.

However, having been used sparingly so far, it's no surprise that the talented playmaker, who is in the final year of his contract, is desperately seeking first-team opportunities once again.

Lingard flourished at West Ham in the second half of last season, in which he netted nine goals and registered five assists during his 16 outings after joining in January, and a reunion with David Moyes' men appears most likely.

The Hammers are flying this season and currently sit third in the Premier League table having already secured qualification for the Europa League knockout stages and sealed a League Cup quarter-final date next month.

Moyes' side will be hoping to continue their rise and go one better next season as all eyes are on a top four finish and the illustrious prize of Champions League football.

Lingard could be a key contributor in their attempts to push for Europe's elite competition and another January loan deal could be targeted, however, United may be reluctant to strengthen a top four rival by allowing him to join.

Newcastle

Newcastle would have perhaps been more of a surprise destination in the summer, but following their £305million Saudi Arabia-backed takeover in early October, the situation has very much changed.

The only Premier League side yet to win a match this season, Newcastle are currently languishing in 19th and look set for a relegation battle in the months to come.

However, with mega-money behind them and a spending splurge expected in January, amid long-term aims of competing for major honours, the Magpies could make a swoop for Lingard.

A number of high-profile names have been heavily linked with the club following the much-publicised takeover and Lingard's is one that keeps popping up.

From a United perspective, allowing Lingard to join Newcastle would be one of the more favourable options with the relegation strugglers not seen as a threat in the league.

Barcelona

Which club should Jesse Lingard sign for? Comment below

One of the three foreign clubs reportedly interested according to the Telegraph, Barcelona are perhaps one of the more surprising names linked with the out-of-favour Lingard.

After a stuttering start to the season, new manager Xavi has been tasked with rebuilding a Barcelona squad blighted by the club's financial woes as he seeks to return the Spanish giants to their former glory days.

However, the club legend will be forced to do so on a shoestring budget given the monetary mayhem and either a free transfer in the summer or a loan deal for Lingard in January makes sense the more you think about it.

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Having only found the net 19 times in 12 league games this season and failed to win any of their five La Liga away matches, the Blaugrana are in desperate need of some creativity and someone with a finishing touch.

After witnessing Lingard elevate West Ham during an outstanding loan stint last season, Barcelona may seek to snap him up, be it this for the remainder of this season, or the next.

Atletico Madrid

It appears Barcelona aren't the only Spanish side interested in potentially acquiring Lingard's services.

Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid are another reportedly hoping to end his United nightmare and may seek to secure his signing on a free transfer when his current deal expires next summer.

Chances of a move to Spain have been heightened in recent weeks as it is understood one of Lingard's representatives has held talks with a potential La Liga suitor.

Whether that is Barcelona, Atletico or another club remains to be seen, but it certainly looks as though Lingard has plenty of options from around Europe if he would prefer a fresh challenge away from the Premier League.

Given Atleti's wealth of attacking options in Antoine Griezmann, Joao Felix, Thomas Lemar, Yannick Carrasco, Matheus Cunha and the also soon to be out of contract Luis Suarez, it seems unlikely first-team football would be available under Simeone, but you never know.

AC Milan

A third European giant reportedly eyeing a potential move for Lingard is Italian high-flyers AC Milan.

The Rossoneri are currently battling it out atop the Serie A table with Napoli as they bid to end a 10-year wait for another league title.

Milan will be looking to push on in the New Year as they hope to finally get their hands on an illusive Scudetto once again, and are expected to bolster their current roster.

Although Lingard would be available on a free transfer next summer, a January loan deal is an option while United are reportedly willing to let their 28-year-old midfielder depart for a fee of £10m as they may look to secure some money from the deal before he becomes a free agent.

Tottenham

Another ambitious club hoping to turn their fortunes around is Tottenham, who could well make a move for Lingard, too.

Speculation surrounding the United man to Spurs was fuelled recently after Lingard's agents were spotted attending their Premier League match with Newcastle at St. James Park

While the Magpies have been heavily linked, a potential transfer to Tottenham could also be in the reckoning with recently appointed manager Antonio Conte expected to begin a squad overhaul in January.

Spurs are currently down in ninth in the Premier League table after a dismal start to the season which saw Nuno Espirito Santo sacked only four months into his two-year deal.

His successor, Conte, has reportedly stipulated his desire to spend and spruce up the squad, and Lingard's contract crisis will surely not have gone unnoticed.

Leicester City

Another Premier League side who have underperformed this season and will be looking to launch a second half surge is Brendan Rodgers' Leicester City.

The Foxes, who are currently 12th in the Premier League table, have historically been linked with Lingard and were hotly tipped to sign him this summer.

The United midfielder was reportedly lined up as a potential replacement for James Maddison amid constant speculation that he could move on to Arsenal.

However, neither left their clubs in the most recent transfer window, but this could all change in the coming months.

Lingard boasts a brilliant record against Leicester having put five goals past the Foxes but he didn't fare so well during at 2012 loan stint at the King Power Stadium where he only made a handful of appearances.

Having so often impressed when playing against the Foxes, Leicester will surely be monitoring Lingard's contract stand-off as they mull over a potential move.

Everton

Lingard has also reportedly caught the eye of Everton, another of the many Premier League clubs reportedly monitoring his situation.

Rafael Benitez will be looking to bolster the Toffees in the coming transfer windows but is well aware of the need to seek out bargains in the transfer market.

Back in the summer, the Spaniard revealed that "financial fair play rules were killing us in this window" when addressing Everton's frugal approach to signing players.

The Merseyside club spent a mere £1.8m as they secured the services of Andros Townsend, Demarai Gray and Salomon Rondon while facing the unenviable task of signing quality players on a shoestring budget.

However, with Lingard available for free next summer or in January either on loan or for a cut-price fee, Everton will surely be looking to strike a deal for a player who would be exceptional value for money given his undeniable quality.