AC Milan and Juventus are reportedly leading the race to sign Manchester United attacker Jesse Lingard on a free transfer at the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

The England international's contract at Old Trafford is due to expire at the end of June, and he is widely expected to leave the 20-time English champions in search of pastures new.

Newcastle United and West Ham United have been strongly linked with the playmaker, but according to ESPN, AC Milan and Juventus are at the head of the queue for his signature.

The report claims that a number of Premier League and European clubs are keen on Lingard, who could make his final appearance for Man United at Old Trafford against Brentford on Monday night.

The 29-year-old has struggled to make his mark for the Red Devils during the 2021-22 campaign, managing just two goals and one assist in 22 appearances in all competitions.

Lingard has featured on 16 occasions in the Premier League but just two of those outings have been from the first whistle, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick both overlooking him for starts.

A recent report claimed that the Englishman could be handed a lifeline by incoming head coach Erik ten Hag, who is set to hold one-on-one meetings with every player at the club.

Ten Hag is believed to be considering keeping hold of Lingard, with The Sun recently quoting a source as saying: "Ten Hag has let it be known he wants to speak with him and if he gives him the assurances he needs, Jesse could be persuaded to stay. United is his club and he's never wanted to leave."

However, a decision has allegedly already been made for the attacker to seek pastures new this summer, as he bids to secure a spot in the England squad for the 2022 World Cup.

Lingard was not involved in Thursday's Premier League clash with Chelsea due to personal reasons but could be back in the squad against Brentford on Monday evening.

The Man United academy product has netted 35 goals and registered 21 assists in 232 appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions since making his debut in 2011.

Lingard was believed to be close to joining Newcastle on loan during the January transfer window, only for Rangnick to pull the plug at the final moment due to a shortage of attackers.

Ten Hag is thought to be keen to bring a couple of new forwards to Old Trafford this summer, which would push Lingard further down the pecking order, and he would struggle to earn a spot in the England squad for the 2022 World Cup without regular action in the first half of next season.

The attacker, capped on 32 occasions by the Three Lions, has won the FA Cup, League Cup, Community Shield and Europa League during his time with the Red Devils. body check tags ::