This £20m player will have Newcastle fans kicking themselves on Saturday

During the January transfer window, Newcastle United were able to add Joe Willock on loan from Arsenal. The 21-year-old has scored two goals for the Magpies, including the late equalizer vs. Spurs, and definitely looks like a solid player.

But, this weekend, Newcastle will be facing another player they pursued earlier this year on a loan deal whose production makes Willock’s two goals look minimal.

Jesse Lingard was reportedly a target of Newcastle United in January, as well as previous windows. But, the Manchester United player decided that he would prefer to reunite with David Moyes at West Ham United on loan.

To say that move has paid off for Lingard and the Hammers would be an understatement. He has played in nine Premier League matches during the loan thus far and West Ham have only lost once in that span, a one-goal defeat to Manchester City.

Jesse Lingard snubbed Newcastle United in January and now brings his incredible form to St. James’ Park with West Ham.

Individually, the 28-year-old has scored eight goals, including a brace vs. Leicester City last weekend, and added four assists during that stretch. His form got him back into the England national team, where he scored in a friendly last month vs. San Marino.

West Ham are eager to keep him on a permanent deal and his form has Manchester United setting his price tag at £20m, comfortably higher than it would have been before his ridiculous run out on loan.

In the end, it was Lingard’s choice that saw him end up at West Ham instead of Newcastle and there’s no guarantee that he would have had similar success on Tyneside. But, the fans will still get an up close look at what might have been this weekend when the Magpies face Lingard and the Hammers.