Jesse Lingard 'unwilling to be makeweight in Declan Rice deal'

Manchester United attacker Jesse Lingard reportedly has no intention of being used in a part-exchange deal for West Ham United's Declan Rice.

Lingard reignited his career during a six-month loan stint at the London Stadium last season and ended the 2020-21 Premier League season with nine goals and five assists from 16 appearances.

West Ham are known to be keen to sign the 28-year-old on a permanent basis, and given Man United's reported interest in Rice, a deal involving the two players heading in opposite directions has understandably been mentioned as West Ham stand firm on their £80m asking price.

However, ESPN reports that Lingard does not want to be used in such a proposal, in spite of the fact that he helped propel David Moyes's side to Europa League football last season.

Lingard is due to become a free agent in under 12 months' time, and a recent report claimed that the Red Devils are readying a £130k-a-week offer should the England international confirm his desire to stay put.

Rice has started all five of England's games at Euro 2020 en route to the semi-finals, but Lingard just missed out on a place in Gareth Southgate's squad.