Jesse Lingard could make move to Lazio, more than 20 other sides also interested - Paper Round

Former Manchester United, West Ham and Nottingham Forest midfielder Jesse Lingard has interest from more than 20 clubs, according to the Daily Mail.

The paper reports that Lazio and FC Seoul are just two of the sides taking a look at the free agent.

The paper reports: “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.”

Wolves manager Gary O’Neil has revealed that he could not afford Chelsea striker Armando Broja.

Fulham made the loan deal on deadline day but O'Neil said he was unable to find a forward at the right price.

The Mirror reports: “Gary O’Neil refused point-blank to gamble Wolves’ financial future on Armando Broja - and made no apologies for doing so.

“‌The Molineux chief was in the running to sign the forward on loan from Chelsea but said that the possibility of breaching the rules meant he couldn’t take the punt.‌ The Premier League’s decision to hit Everton with a ten-point deduction has had the desired effect as the £5m fee to take the striker on board was out of Wolves’ reach.

“O’Neil said: ‘There were a few strikers out there I liked - and we couldn’t afford any.‌ We could afford some but those weren’t ones who I thought could help us.

‌“‘Finances are an issue. I was speaking to Chelsea about Armando Broja for a lot of the day.‌ We couldn’t afford to do it financially.‌’”

After signing no new players in the winter transfer window, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino believes a set-piece specialist could be an option next.

The Evening Standard reported that their failure from dead-ball chances means that they could look to sign an expert in the summer window.

The paper writes: “Mauricio Pochettino doesn't believe he has a set-piece specialist in his squad and hinted that it might be the type of player that Chelsea need to sign in future.

“The Blues have scored five Premier League goals from set-pieces this season, excluding penalties, meaning that 11 clubs have currently outscored them from dead-ball situations.

“Chelsea produced a record-breaking January transfer spend of £323million in 2023 but didn't sign a single player this winter.

“Pochettino may have missed Chelsea's big spending boom as new Premier League profit and sustainability legislation slows down the transfer market.”

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