Jesse Lingard free to join: Birmingham, West Brom & Wrexham should eye move | OneFootball

These three Championship teams could benefit from adding the 33-year-old to their ranks until the end of the season

Jesse Lingard has been a free agent for well over two months now, and his next destination is still unknown.

The 33-year-old departed FC Seoul in December last year, bringing to an end a two-year stint that saw him score 19 goals in 67 appearances.

The attacking midfielder had a short burst in 2021 at West Ham back in the Premier League, but found his gametime limited once more back at Manchester United, and after a failed move to Nottingham Forest, found himself moving to the South Korean capital.

Lingard, a former England international, never revealed what his next chapter would be, but given that he'd spent his entire career in England before the switch to South Korea, many questioned whether he'd be making a move back, possibly even to the EFL.

He didn't move in January, but given his status as a free agent, he could still slot into a squad between now and the end of the season, if they have room.

Therefore, here are three Championship clubs who could explore this move to give them a much-needed boost between now and the end of the season.

Birmingham City

Per Capology, Jesse Lingard was estimated to be earning between £75,000 and £80,000 per week in wages for the majority of his time in England. Those demands won't wane too far if he did return, so prospective suitors would need to be able to foot a decent bit of their wage bill to bring the 33-year-old in.

Therefore, firstly, Birmingham City could be a potential destination for Lingard, as the Blues have been ambitious in their spending to try and get into the Premier League as quickly as possible.

A move would resemble a full-circle moment for the 33-year-old, too, as it was on loan at St Andrew's where the attacking midfielder would first show signs of someone who would emerge as a regular starter at Manchester United, netting six times in 13 Championship games during the 2013/14 campaign.

Chris Davies side is well-covered in attacking areas, but it's no secret that they have a fondness for a blockbuster arrival and a sentimental one, too.

So, if Lingard were to land in the Championship for the first time since 2015, a return to Birmingham may not be completely off the cards.

West Bromwich Albion

It's been a terrible campaign for West Brom this season, as the Baggies are scrambling to stave off relegation after a poor start under Ryan Mason that hasn't gotten much better under Eric Ramsay.

West Brom's attacking output has dried up massively in 2026, failing to score in four of the six league games since the former Minnesota United man took on the dugout role at the Hawthorns.

Evidently, the Baggies need that attacking spark, and on a short-term deal, Lingard may have just about enough to help West Brom remain above the dreaded dotted line and avoid a disastrous relegation to League One.

Lingard's final few years at Manchester United overlapped just slightly with Ramsay's time at Old Trafford, but this could present an opportunity for the duo to work together on a more consistent basis.

Wrexham

And speaking of sides who don't like to shy away from the blockbuster, 'big name' signing, it wouldn't be a surprise if Hollywood club Wrexham decided to throw their names in the hat of potential Lingard suitors.

Arguably, the Red Dragons don't need another attacking midfield profile, with the likes of Davis Keillor-Dunn, Josh Windass, Sam Smith, Nathan Broadhead, Lewis O'Brien and Ollie Rathbone forming a very solid group of number 10s.

However, O'Brien aside, none of those has Premier League experience, and if Wrexham are to make their dreams of a fourth consecutive promotion from the National League to the top flight come true, having someone like Lingard around won't do it any harm.

Plus, with Phil Parkinson's side still involved in FA Cup action, reaching the fifth round for the first time since 1997 last week, the squad will be stretched more than most of their rivals for that final play-off spot.