According to 90min, Newcastle United may get a chance to sign Manchester United’s Phil Jones on a free transfer this summer.
The 29-year-old is way down the pecking order at Old Trafford, and hasn’t played for the Red Devils since January 2020.
Amid claims Manchester United want to sign Raphael Varane from Real Madrid, Jones could be allowed to leave the club for nothing.
And 90min believe this could be good news for Steve Bruce and Newcastle.
Bruce has been a fan of Jones for a long time. It feels like he’s been linked with a move to St James’ Park endlessly since Bruce became manager.
In March 2020, the Mirror reported that Newcastle were interested in signing Jones that summer, when he was valued at £12million. Newcastle fans were not happy.
In December 2020, the Northern Echo claimed that Bruce wanted to sign Jones on loan. Of course, that didn’t happen, and the £100,000-a-week defender remained in Manchester.
Could Phil Jones arrive at Newcastle on a free transfer?
According to 90min, a free transfer for Jones would be preferred to a loan. That’s because it would still allow Newcastle to make two domestic loan signings this summer.
But is Jones the kind of player we need right now?
He was highly rated a long time ago, but has failed to live up to the hype.
Jones’ lack of football in recent years is a huge issue, as he would be playing catch up with regards to match fitness.
If you look back at Ryan Fraser last summer, he struggled to get up to speed after not playing for a few months. In comparison, Jones hasn’t been playing for even longer.
Bruce may be desperate for a centre-back, but Jones on a free might not be the answer.
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