Arsenal 'remain one of the most likely targets for Lingard if he leaves Man Utd'

Arsenal remain one of the more likely targets for Jesse Lingard if he is to leave Manchester United in the next transfer window.

According to The Athletic, 'it's hard to rule out' Arsenal trying to sign Lingard before next season, especially if Dani Ceballos' loan move is not made permanent.

Last month it was reported that United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had lost confidence in Lingard, and would be willing to let him go as part of a clearout at the end of the season.

Arsenal's head of football Raul Sanllehi is said to be one of the favourites to get in contact with Lingard's controversial agent Mino Raiola.

Lingard was recently praised by team-mate Paul Pogba for being 'a big game player,' suggesting he is 'always banging in goals' in important matches.

The 27-year-old has struggled for form this season, but in the past he has scored winners in the 2016 FA Cup Final and Community Shield, and a goal in the 2017 League Cup Final.

He has also fallen down the pecking order since the arrival of Bruno Fernandes, who has impressed in his nine appearances so far.

Ceballos has impressed Mikel Arteta during his loan spell from Real Madrid, but the 23-year-old is said to prefer a move to his former club Real Betis over Arsenal. Lingard could be seen as a possible replacement.

Lingard has featured in 35 games in all competitions this season, but has only scored twice.

If he is set to leave the club, they will want to do it sooner rather than later, with his contract set to expire in 2021.

Any potential sale is expected to be used to fund a planned rebuild at the club. Jadon Sancho, Jack Grealish, and James Maddison have been eyes as primary targets for Solskjaer's next campaign.

The Gunners have certainly had dealings with United in the past. Arsenal grabbed Danny Welbeck from Old Trafford on deadline day in 2014, and more recently the two clubs were involved in a swap deal between Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Alexis Sanchez.