Jesse Lingard, a Manchester United midfielder, is the ideal tool for the club's transfer business this summer. With Wolves reportedly looking to offload Ruben Neves, United and Wolves could work out a swap deal.
Wolves are ready to sell Neves, 24, during the summer transfer window and value him at £35 million, according to The Athletic.
Following Nuno Espirito Santo's abrupt departure, the club reportedly sees him as a primary source of funding for its rebuild under new management.
The Red Devils have previously been linked with the Portuguese midfielder, with the Daily Mail reporting an interest in 2018.
However, Wolves reportedly quoted the Red Devils £60 million three years ago, so suitors may see Neves' current price as a bargain.
With United reportedly paying around £30 million for Lingard, he could be used to secure Neves for a small fee, if any.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will almost certainly try to offload the 28-year-old this summer, though West Ham United should have first dibs.
Lingard has outperformed everyone's expectations during his loan spell at the London Stadium in the second half of the 2020/21 season.
He had nine goals and four assists in 16 games, earning him a recall to Gareth Southgate's England squad.
West Ham manager David Moyes will want to sign Lingard on a permanent basis ahead of the Hammers' Europa League campaign in 2021/22.
He won't be the only manager interested in signing the midfielder, with Molineux a possible destination.
Former Benfica manager Bruno Lage is widely expected to succeed Espirito Santo, and he may bring his preferred 4-4-2 formation with him.
Two holding midfielders and two wide men capable of running inside and outside to create chances for the two strikers are used in the formation.
Lingard would thrive as an inside forward at Wolves, where he could use his speed on the wing and creative mind.
However, before pursuing a central midfielder, United may have other priorities in the transfer window.
After a long-standing interest, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly prioritizing the capture of Jadon Sancho.
Following the Europa League final on Wednesday, United are expected to go 'all out' for a new center-back.
Neves is not a bad player, but when it comes to midfield options, West Ham's Declan Rice is thought to be Solskjaer's first choice.
Lingard as weight in a move for Neves would be a smart move, but whether it's realistic is another question.
If Wolves are looking for funds for their new manager, they will want cash in addition to a top player.
Instead, United would be wiser to use Lingard to try to entice Rice to Old Trafford, as he is certain to command a much higher fee.
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