Jesse Lingard’s Move to Al Ettifaq Could Be Finalized in January
Reports by Sky Sports indicate that Jesse Lingard has edged closer to moving to Al Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League.
However, the former Manchester United star will need to be patient as the move is unlikely to materialize until the January window.
Rumors of Lingard’s impending move to sign on at Al-Ettifaq, which are managed by former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, swirled this week after Lingard played in a friendly match against Al Khaldiya and scored a goal. Talks are moving to a critical stage over a permanent deal.
Sky reports that Al Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard wants to add Lingard to his squad. However, due to the foreign players’ rule in the Saudi Pro League, he is unable to make the move until January.
According to the rules, SPL clubs can only have a maximum of eight foreign players in their matchday squad. Currently, Al Ettifaq have 10 foreign players registered, including former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and former Everton winger Demarai Gray.
Gerrard and Al Ettifaq will have to work in January to move on some of the foreign players in January to create space to unveil Lingard as an Al Ettifaq player officially.
