Former Manchester United and Nottingham Forest forward Jesse Lingard is close to securing a permanent move to Saudi Arabian club, Al Ettifaq as negotiations continue.
The Saudi Pro League Club has shown interest in getting the services of Lingard on a permanent deal after the English forward featured and scored in a friendly match against Al Khaldya earlier this week.
Al Ettifaq Manager and Liverpool legend, Steven Gerrard plans to increase his attacking options and wants to add Jesse Lingard to his side. However, Jesse Lingard will not be allowed to make his official debut until January as a result of Saudi Arabia’s foreign players’ rule.
According to the rule, Saudi Pro League Clubs can only feature a maximum of eight foreign (non-Saudi) players in their match-day squad. Al Ettifaq currently has about 10 registered foreign players including former Everton Winger, Demarai Gray, and Jordan Henderson, the former Liverpool Captain. The situation necessitated Lingard’s wait to make his official debut for the club.
As things stand for Al Ettifaq, Some of the foreign players in the squad will need to be shown the exit door in January before Jesse Lingard can be confirmed officially as a player for the Saudi Club.
Prior to his attempt to join Al Ettifaq, Jesse Lingard revealed that Saudi Arabia is a very good place to be as a footballer and has never ruled out the option of playing for any of the Saudi Pro League sides if he feels the move is right.
According to him, it wasn’t a surprise that top players are moving to the Saudi League and feels they have a good football system that matches his hunger for success.
The English forward has been training with West Ham United as a free agent after his one-year contract with Nottingham Forest expired.
