Pranav Nair
Four clubs in the fray for Manchester United defender Phil Jones
According to the Northern Echo, four Premier League clubs appear to be involved in the race for Manchester United defender Phil Jones this summer, with bookmakers labelling Newcastle United as the favourites to land the Englishman.
The 29-year-old is one of the last few players left at United from the Sir Alex Ferguson era. Signed as one of the brightest young prospects in the English game, injuries and inconsistency have seen his talent fall by the wayside. While he can still make a name for himself elsewhere, Jones’ time at Old Trafford could be drawing to a close.
Despite not having played a first-team game in 18 months, the Englishman has his fair share of suitors. The likes of Newcastle United, West Ham United, Brighton and Hove Albion and Southampton are all keen on securing Jones’ services.
Magpies boss, Steve Bruce is a fan of Jones and looked to sign him during his time at Aston Villa. Time may have passed but the United legend’s interest in the player does not appear to have waned. Newcastle could very well offer Jones regular playtime and help him rekindle his top-flight career.
With the likes of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, and newly signed Raphael Varane all available, Jones would at best be the fifth choice centre-back in the squad. He could potentially even drop to sixth should Axel Tuanzebe ultimately decide to stay put.
Newcastle are also interested in Tuanzebe and are already in talks with United regarding a potential switch. Premier League rules restrict a side from taking more than one player on loan from the same team. If Tuanzebe does move to St James on loan, it remains to be seen if Newcastle will look to land Jones permanently.
An unavailable asset
Such a deal would work out well for United who are struggling to find buyers for the player. It is in United’s best interests to part ways with the player even if they do not get any transfer fee. As things stand, Jones is taking up valuable wage space while being unable to contribute on the field.
Jones returned to training last weekend and is keen to rekindle his career. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer too recently admitted that the club would not rush the player back and would rather rase him back into action. Whether that will be at Old Trafford or elsewhere remains to be seen.
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It was Jones’s signing in 2011 that saw then Lens prospect Raphael Varane prefer a move to Real Madrid over Old Trafford. 10 years on, the tables have been turned and it will be Varane who is almost certainly assured of a starting spot in the Red Devils squad. (h/t Manchester Evening News)
Jones is a good player but could have been more. It is unfortunate that injuries ruined what could have been a sensational career for the Englishman in red.
