Manchester United Transfer News: Phil Jones Exit Amid Arsenal, Liverpool Rumours

Manchester United are reportedly set to sell Phil Jones in the January transfer window, with rivals Arsenal and Liverpool both said to be interested in the centre-back. 

That’s according to Daniel Cutts of the Sun, who has stated that Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho doesn’t see a long-term future for the England international at Old Trafford. Jones, said to be on a whopping £110,000 a week, will reportedly be available for £10 million.

And it’s suggested two of United’s rivals, the Gunners and the Reds, will try to land the former Blackburn Rovers man.

“Arsenal have asked about him in the past along with Chris Smalling, and they are keeping an eye on his situation,” said a source quoted in the report. “He cannot stay fit, and that is why United tried to sign Jose Fonte from Southampton in the summer.”

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As noted by Cutts, Jones is out of action with a knee ligament problem and has not featured for the Red Devils first team since January this year. The defender signed from Blackburn for £16.5 million in 2011, although he’s struggled to live up to the stellar potential that he showcased at an early age.

A move would certainly make sense for the 24-year-old, who would surely benefit from a fresh start away from Old Trafford. Bleacher Report’s Dean Jones believes the most recent injury accrued by the player could well be the final straw at United:

There’s still time for Jones to salvage something from his career. After all, he’s a player who was tipped to go to the top of the game while at Old Trafford, and early in his time at the club he excelled under the guidance of former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Indeed, Manchester United icon Sir Bobby Charlton is said to have compared Jones to the late, great Duncan Edwards in the past, per Stuart Mathieson of the Manchester Evening News.

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Yet his stock has gradually deteriorated throughout his time as a United player. The defender has developed a reputation for making reckless decisions on the field, while a succession of injury problems pushed him to the periphery of the first team when Louis van Gaal was in charge.

As these numbers from the UNILAD Football Twitter feed show, he’s spent far too much time on the treatment table since moving to United:

His poor fitness record means it’d be a huge surprise to see either Arsenal or Liverpool take a punt on Jones.

Additionally, the Gunners spent big to land Shkodran Mustafi in the summer window to partner Laurent Koscielny; manager Arsene Wenger also has Per Mertesacker, Gabriel Paulista and Rob Holding to call upon. Meanwhile, it’s difficult to see Liverpool doing business with United, nor Jones ousting Dejan Lovren or Joel Matip.

The defender needs a home where he’ll be a key part of the setup. That way he can put a run of games together, build up his form and potentially re-establish his reputation.