Jesse Lingard has offers from TWENTY-SIX clubs around the world including FC Seoul in South Korea and a high-profile Italian team, Sami Mokbel reveals on It’s All Kicking Off

Jesse Lingard has offers from as many as 26 clubs around the world including FC Seoul in South Korea and a major Italian club, Sami Mokbel told It’s All Kicking Off. 

Lingard’s name was thrust back into the limelight when shock reports emerged that he could join Seoul – claims Mokbel confirmed on Friday. 

Now Mail Sport’s chief football reporter has revealed the vast extent of interest in Lingard, who has been a free agent since leaving Nottingham Forest at the end of last season.

That includes interest from Lazio, Maurizio Sarri’s Champions League-chasing Serie A outfit, and he is giving serious consideration to multiple approaches. 

Mokbel said on the It’s All Kicking Off Transfer Week podcast: ‘The news broke late last night about a potential move for Jesse Lingard to South Korea with FC Seoul. So as news broke, I tried to get some information, tried to make some calls on it. 

The former Manchester United star was made a free agent by Nottingham Forest last summer

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‘It was clarified to me and verified to me that FC Seoul are indeed interested in Jesse Lingard, that they’ve offered him a two-year deal to go and play over in south-east Asia. 

‘But then it was also sort of said to me that just to hold back a little bit on saying that it is a done deal, because he’s got up to 26 other offers, I’m told, from various clubs all over the world who are interested in taking on Jesse Lingard. 

‘The intriguing thing here is why this news broke at half past 10 on transfer deadline day when Jesse Lingard is a free agent and doesn’t have to sign inside the window.

‘We’re informed that Lazio are among the clubs that have made offers to Jesse Lingard. It depends on how far he would want to venture, how far he would be willing to move away from his family if he’s to move abroad. 

‘Going to Seoul, I’ve been to Seoul, it’s a great place, but it’s a long flight home. And it just depends on whether he wants to put himself through those flights and those travel arrangements.’ 

Sami Mokbel said Lingard would have to weigh up how far he is willing to be away from home

Lingard has trained with West Ham and Al-Ettifaq, Steven Gerrrad’s Saudi Arabian side, since leaving Notitngham Forest, but nothing has transpired. 

He made 20 appearances during his brief spell with Forest, scoring two goals.

Ian Ladyman has been a staunch supporter of the 31-year-old, previously telling he podcast that he has ‘nothing left to prove’ after already playing for England and Manchester United in his career. 

Once again, Ladyman reiterated his support for Lingard.

He said: ‘As regular listeners to this podcast will know, I’m quite fond of Jesse Lingard, so I hope he gets himself sorted out. I hope that one of those 26 offers that he has proves amenable to him when he gets his career back on track.’