Advanced talks with Brazilian giants
Jesse Lingard is in advanced talks with Corinthians over a one-year contract, according to ESPN Brazil. The 33-year-old free agent left FC Seoul in December and was previously linked with a move to their Brazilian rivals Remo.
Financial issues have reportedly been resolved, and Corinthians are now finalising the last details of the proposed agreement. If completed, Lingard would line up alongside former Manchester United teammate Memphis Depay, who joined the club earlier.
Lingard and Depay played together at Old Trafford during the 2015-16 season. Depay fell out of favour and moved to Lyon in January 2017, while Lingard made 385 appearances for United, scoring 77 goals.
Earlier this year Lingard held discussions with Premier League clubs about a possible return to England. There was also strong interest from Serie A teams.
Desire to ‘feel loved’ drove Korea move
In his final season with FC Seoul, Lingard scored 10 goals in 34 games. He previously explained his decision to join the K League club was driven by a need to feel appreciated.
“When looking for my next club it felt important to go somewhere I was loved and appreciated,” Lingard said. “FC Seoul sent two of their main people all the way to Manchester just to watch me train and play in a five-a-side game. The idea of Korea grabbed me. Not just a different challenge, but a new environment and culture. FC Seoul is one of the biggest clubs in the K League, with a fantastic stadium, so I said yes.”
A move to Corinthians would mark another chapter overseas for the former England international, who has been without a club since December.
