Transfer Talk: With Jesse Lingard's Man Utd opportunities limited, could Newcastle be perfect fit?

The Transfer Talk podcast is back and Newcastle United's interest in Manchester United's Jesse Lingard is up for discussion, as Guardian sports writer Ed Aarons joins Dharmesh Sheth and Pete Graves to explain why a move to Tyneside could be a good one for all parties

Lingard, who has had five loan spells away from the club since progressing through the youth ranks, is out of contract in the summer and has no interest in renewing his deal.

Newcastle have made an approach to United for Lingard, who is believed to be interested in considering any offer from the Magpies, but could the threat of relegation to the Championship play a part in his decision to join the club?

"It's not the greatest prospect is it, trying to join a team that is struggling against relegation and has been really struggling all season, but they are starting to make some progress.

"They have obviously got the two through the door in [Kieran] Trippier and [Chris] Wood, and Trippier was a real statement signing. I don't think many people expected someone who is at the top of La Liga to come and swap that for a relegation battle.

"But I think Newcastle know they really have to get it right because getting relegated this season doesn't bear thinking about for the new owners. And I think they have to target players that are of a certain age and a certain status as well, with players that aren't perhaps featuring regularly for their clubs.

"Trying to get someone like Jesse Lingard who is out of favour at the moment and to try and do a deal like that. There are options out there. They have to be careful not to rush into things and get the wrong players because that could be even worse for them.

"Last season Lingard had a great loan spell at West Ham and scored goals. I was a bit surprised he didn't get into England's Euros squad on the back of that but there was a lot of competition, and again I was a little bit surprised he didn't seek to leave Old Trafford on loan at the start of this season because he was obviously not going to play very much, but he was obviously hoping that would be different for him.

"But certainly for Newcastle, he could add something immediately I think. They have a few creative players like that - Allan Saint-Maximin springs to mind - but Lingard is someone who could add pace, goals and experience from playing at United for so many years and for England.

"He could be an excellent signing, whether it would be on loan until the end of the season or if they were to purchase him outright. The main thing for Lingard will be playing regular football now."

Dharmesh says Lingard is well aware of a need to play regular first-team football if he is to 'force his way into Gareth Southgate's plans' for the World Cup.

"They are definitely interested in him and Lingard, by all accounts, is keen to hear what Newcastle United have to say. We know his contract is up in the summer and there is no sign he is going to extend his stay at Old Trafford beyond the summer.

"Ed mentioned it, and I think something that will be in the back of Jesse Lingard's mind will be the World Cup squad because that is only 10 months away and he is going to need to start playing first-team football if he is to force his way into Gareth Southgate's plans.

"If he stays at United for the rest of this season and doesn't play, he is going to have a two or three-month window at the start of next season - whatever club he is playing at - to try and impress Gareth Southgate.