Unemployed ex-Man Utd star Jesse Lingard, 30, ‘leaves Saudi side Al-Ettifaq WITHOUT contract’ as trial ends

JESSE LINGARD has reportedly left Al-Ettifaq following the end of his month-long trial.

The former Manchester United star was training with the Saudi club as he looked to earn a contract.

Al-Ettifaq have opted against signing Jesse LingardInstagram @ettifaq

Lingard, 30, has been a free agent since leaving Nottingham Forest at the end of last season.

The midfielder spent a season at the City Ground after leaving the Red Devils but struggled recapture his best form.

He would have been hoping to have followed in the footsteps of Jordan Henderson and Demarai Gray and joined Al-Ettifaq.

However after a month long trail he has not been offered a deal to stay at the club.

Reports claim that the Saudi outfit did not have enough space in their budget to afford Lingard’s salary.

It is also suggested that if they could the club would have had to release two foreign players due to quota rules put in place by the Saudi Pro League.

The reports adds that no pre-contract has been offered that would see him join in January and that a deal is “not likely” to happen.

Lingard had spent time in the summer training with West Ham as he looked to build up his fitness.

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The Hammers withdrew their interest in signing Lingard after he flew out for his trial with Al-Ettifaq.

It was expected that he would have re-joined the club that he spent time on loan at as he featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly.

During Lingard’s time training with David Moyes’ side, thousands were spent on his travel expenses and accommodation.

Lingard previously spent the second half of the 2020/21 season on loan at the London Stadium, scoring nine goals and providing five assists in 16 matches.

The free agent spent 20 years at boyhood Man Utd before leaving in 2022.