How much Jesse Lingard earned in South Korea as Coventry City backed to strike PL deal | OneFootball

The ex-Manchester United ace was offered to the Sky Blues in January

Although clubs in the Championship recently saw the winter transfer window close on February 2nd, that hasn't put a stop to transfer speculation in the second tier.

With the free agent market open throughout the entirety of the campaign, all 24 second tier clubs, should they deem it necessary to do so, are able to sign unattached players as part of their 25-man squad at any given moment.

There is now just under a third of the season still to play, meaning the stakes are hotting up in the race to secure a place in next season's Premier League either through the route of automatic promotion or the play-offs.

Despite enduring a minor blip at the turn of the new year, it is Coventry City who are back leading the way in the Championship, having recorded three statement victories on the spin, firstly against nearest challengers Middlesbrough, as well as away victories at West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United's expense.

As such, the Sky Blues are looking at a first spell at the top level of English football for 25 years, having not returned to the Premier League since their dramatic relegation on the final day of the 2000/01 season, which brought an end to 34 consecutive seasons in the division.

Frank Lampard's side have showcased exactly why that looks set to be the case on several occasions due to their defensive robustness and attacking flair, meaning numerous players already amongst his ranks will be hopeful of making the step-up to the Premier League if the final weeks of the current season go according to script.

However, it's fair to say that extra quality and experience would also be welcomed, and one man who could provide such attributes is Jesse Lingard.

The former Manchester United academy product and 32-time England international has been a free agent since departing South Korean side, FC Seoul, in December.

It has since been reported that Coventry, Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town were amongst a clutch of seven clubs who rejected his services on a free transfer, whilst he has subsequently been linked with a switch to Brazilian side, Remo.

However, Football League World's Sky Blues fan pundit, Chris Deez, believes City should be looking at a potential move for the 33-year-old on one clear condition.

With that in mind, FLW have looked at how much Lingard was reportedly earning in the South Korean capital.

How much money Jesse Lingard earned in wages at FC Seoul as Coventry City urged to press transfer advances on one condition

Speaking to FLW, Deez believes City could explore a deal for the playmaker if they were to be promoted to the Premier League, largely due to the greater finances on offer.

"The thing about Jesse Lingard is that he gets a lot of mockery because he's become more of a TikTok dancer than a decent footballer, over the years. He was good for United in fairly big spells," he said.

"But then (he was) really good for West Ham, so we know that there is still a quality player in there. When he can be bothered and if he can apply himself and didn't have an attitude problem. That would probably be my big worry in the Championship, if he came to Coventry.

"However, first of all, we wouldn't be able to afford his wages. He is not going to drop down to £25,000 or £30,000 per week, which seems to be the absolute limit for Doug King," Deez explained.

"It's why we didn't sign [Frank] Onyeka and we got him on a loan first. Hopefully, if we get promoted, we will have a bigger wage budget and a bigger wage cap and we will then be able to offer these players the money that they want to actually come to us."

Whilst Lingard has earned some eye-watering salaries, which included a reported £180,000 per week during a short stint with Nottingham Forest in 2022/23, it was claimed that the Warrington-born man took a major pay cut to join FC Seoul, where he earned just £17,500 per week.

During his time at the club, the ex-Three Lions ace scored 19 times and provided 10 assists in 67 appearances, but is now looking for his latest career move.

Jesse Lingard may find it hard to oust Jack Rudoni if he moved to Coventry City

Whilst signing a player with extensive Premier League, European and international pedigree on a free transfer wouldn't usually be turned down, there is no guarantee that Lingard would immediately be able to oust Jack Rudoni from Lampard's starting lineup.

The playmaker has been a revelation ever since the appointment of the ex-Chelsea midfielder in November 2024, and his recent strikes against West Brom and Sheffield United could prove pivotal in realising his own, and the club's Premier League dreams.

Furthermore, the finances which come with earning promotion to the top-flight could unlock the chances of signing other attack-minded players who previously had been out of reach for the Sky Blues.