NEWCASTLE United are hopeful the influence of England team-mate Kieran Trippier can bring Jesse Lingard to the club in January who is set to become a free agent in the summer.

Lingard is into the last six months of his contract at Manchester United where it’s understood he has no desire to renew his deal at Old Trafford.

It’s been reported the Mapgies have made a fresh approach for the 29-year-old midfielder who has been short of game time this season making just nine Premier League appearances.

Both Lingard and Trippier were an integral part of the England side that reached the World Cup semi finals in Russia back in 2018. It’s understood the pair had a close relationship in the camp which has been maintained ever since. Both players were on the scoresheet during the tournament with Lingard scoring in the group stages in a 6-1 win against Panama while Tripper gave the Three Lions the lead in their 2-1 semi final defeat against Croatia.

Speculation surrounding Newcastle’s interest in Lingard has been rife since the Saudi PIF takeover of the club back in October last year. The club have since gone on to sign Tripper from Atletico Madrid and striker Chris Wood from fellow Premier League strugglers Burnley.

Lingard was sent out on loan last January to West Ham United and enjoyed a wonderful spell with the Hammers. Nine goals in 16 games earned him a recall into England’s preliminary squad for Euro 2020 but the midfielder failed to make the final squad after being omitted by Gareth Southgate.

Over the course of his career, Lingard has made 284 appearances across all competitions and scored 56 goals.

Meanwhile, Sevilla defender Diego Carlos has reportedly submitted a transfer request in order to push through a move to Tyneside but they now face a battle with other Premier League clubs for the Brazilian.

Newcastle are understood to have tabled a £30 million offer but that valuation is now being matched by fellow top flight sides. The club were racing to get the deal done in time for this weekend’s trip to Leeds United with the club’s hierarchy promising Eddie Howe a new defender by then.

Newcastle were leading the race for his signature but now potentially face stiff competition that could scupper the prospect of a deal.

Howe’s side sit second bottom in the Premier League table having won one game all season and conceded 43 goals in the process which is the second most behind Norwich City.