Jesse Lingard left in limbo! Ex-Man Utd and England star's potential comeback falls through before Saudi Pro League transfer deadline

The former England international has been without a club since being released by Nottingham Forest at the end of the 2022-23 campaign. He has taken in trials with West Ham and Al-Ettifaq since then, but is still without a contract.

Lingard has been working on a personal training programme in a bid to stay fit and ready for the phone to ring, but another avenue of opportunity has now been closed off. That is because the transfer window in the Middle East swung shut on Wednesday.

According to Sky Sports, Al-Shabab – who had also been linked with Newcastle winger Miguel Almiron – made a late play for Lingard’s signature. No deal could be pushed through in time, meaning that the 31-year-old midfielder is still waiting on a professional comeback.

Lingard is said to have been approached by a couple of clubs in Turkey, while also being linked with a move to join the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in MLS, but for now he is facing more frustration and an uncertain future.