According to The Chronicle, Newcastle are likely to reignite their summer transfer interest in Manchester United defender Phil Jones.
What’s the word?
Reports in recent months had suggested that the England international was a potential target for the Magpies as they sought to reinforce the centre of their defence.
In the end, Jones stayed put at Old Trafford, but The Chronicle now claim that Steve Bruce’s side may revisit their interest in the former Blackburn Rovers starlet come the start of the January transfer window.
The report adds that with the defender yet to feature for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team this season, it’s likely that United will look to offload him, and that Newcastle could reignite their interest in him.
Would be a total disaster for Bruce
When you’re looking to strengthen your defence, you make a move for Jones. Sounds logical.
But in all seriousness, the Englishman has unfortunately endured a nightmare time of things at Old Trafford, both in terms of his record with injuries, and actual on-pitch performances too.
In fact, it was just last year that former Magpies boss, Graeme Souness, tore into the defender for his calamitous 45 minute display against Sheffield United (he was taken off at half-time).
Souness said: “Jones has done everything wrong for the goal. Protect the ball. Try and get your team a goal kick or at worse put it out for a throw in. He just gets it all wrong. Jones isn’t a cute player – he hasn’t got a great touch, so he should just put it into row Z at worst.”
Earning a reported £75k-a-week, Newcastle would just be heading for a disaster both on and off the pitch with the kind of player they would be getting, and the money that they would have to pay him as well.
It’s one that they desperately have to avoid in January.