FC Seoul in talks to acquire ex-Premier Leaguer Jesse Lingard

South Korean football club FC Seoul said Friday they are in contract negotiations with former Manchester United midfielder and English international Jesse Lingard.

An official with the K League 1 side confirmed that they have been in contact with Lingard's camp over a potential contract.

Earlier in the day, British media reported that Lingard was close to joining FC Seoul on a two-year deal with an option for a third season.

Lingard, 31, has been without a club since leaving Nottingham Forest last summer. He began his club career with Man United in 2011 and spent 11 seasons there. He signed for Forest in 2022 following their promotion to the Premier League.

He has collected 32 caps for England, including six matches during the country's run to the semifinals at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

If the deal is finalized, Lingard would become the biggest European name to arrive in the top South Korean league.

Earlier this season, Lingard trained with West Ham United, for whom he scored nine goals in 16 matches on a loan during the 2020-2021 season, and also spent time training with the Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq.

He has reportedly drawn offers from Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

FC Seoul brought in new head coach Kim Gi-dong for the upcoming season, seeking a turnaround after spending the past four seasons in the mushy middle ground in the K League 1. (Yonhap)