16 January 2024 , 14:29
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Jesse Lingard could be set for a move to the MLS - which could have been impacted by Wayne Rooney if it had happened sooner.
The 31-year-old is currency a free agent after he was released by Nottingham Forest at the end of the 2022/23 season. He has trained with former club West Ham and Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq since then and even changed his representatives as he seeks a new club.
The likes of the Portland Timbers and several other American clubs are interested in acquiring his services, but had he made a move Stateside a year ago, D.C. United may have received some money due to a strange MLS rule. Rooney became the D.C. United manager in 2022, and last summer the former England international explained what is known as the MLS 'discovery' rule, which allows clubs to make money from players signing for opposition teams.
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Every MLS team can name up to seven players who play outside of the American league, and should they go on to join the MLS within a year, the club that placed him on their discovery list will receive a fee, even if the player does not play for their club. Providing an example, Rooney told The Times in July 2023: "You don't know about 'discovery' players? OK, take Erling Haaland.
“We could put Haaland on our discovery list and it means that if he ever came to the MLS but let's say wanted to play for one of the LA teams and not us, the LA team would have to pay Man City – and us. Because we've 'discovered' him! It's crazy.”
He added: “If you're clever, you can make money," he continued. "Last year when Jesse Lingard signed for a year with [Nottingham] Forest we put him on our discovery list.
“We thought there's every chance that after a year at Forest he'll want to come to the US and that would mean we could sign him or get money for him."
Given Rooney and D.C. United put Lingard on their discovery list a year ago while he was in charge, it is likely to have expired and should have no impact on any potential move his former United teammate could make to the MLS this month.
While Lingard is currently a free agent, Rooney is also without work after he was relieved of his duties by Birmingham City after just 15 games in charge. After the shocking sacking of former manager John Eustace, who had the club in the playoff positions, the Old Trafford legend was appointed on October 11 and was gone by the start of January.
Lingard is currently a free agent after he was released by Nottingham Forest at the end of the 2022/23 campaign (NurPhoto via Getty Images)The Blues’ form plummeted under Rooney’s leadership, as they lost nine of the 15 matches, which left them 20th in the EFL Championship table. Rooney released a statement in the wake of his sacking, which read: “Football is a results business - and I recognise they have not been at the level I wanted them to be.
“However, time is the most precious commodity a manager requires and I do not believe 13 weeks was sufficient to oversee the changes that were needed. Personally, it will take me some time to get over this setback. I have been involved in professional football, as either a player or manager, since I was 16.
“Now, I plan to take some time with my family as I prepare for the next opportunity in my journey as a manager. I wish Birmingham City FC and its owners my best wishes in the pursuit of their ambitions."