Newcastle have been linked to a former Premier League champion in the past week – and one who is only 28-years of age.
Phil Jones has had a tough couple of years after being in and out of a struggling Manchester United team, and with him now arguably being the fifth choice at the club, they are allegedly willing to let him depart in the summer window for £12m.
It is said by the Metro that Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Axel Tunazebe are all above Jones in the pecking order, meaning that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is happy for him to leave, despite him signing a four-year extension last February.
Despite this, former Aston Villa and Scotland international Alan Hutton thinks he is well worth taking a punt on, stating that the atmosphere that Steve Bruce generates could be exactly what the player needs to rejuvenate his career.
The pundit told Football Insider: “I think obviously it’s well documented all the problems he’s had at Man U, so sometimes a little break – when you’re a Man United player everything’s highlighted times ten.
“Steve Bruce makes it a really good environment to go and work and be happy, just really enjoy your football. Maybe that’s what he needs to get back, we all know how good a player he can be.
“Maybe Newcastle, he’d not get away with it, that’s not what I’m saying, but just concentrate on playing. I definitely think Steve Bruce is a guy – because I know him well – who can get the best out of players.”
With Newcastle having a decent plethora of options at centre-back in Ciaran Clark, Paul Dummett, Fabian Schar, Florian Lejeune, Federico Fernandez and Jamaal Lascelles, there have been questions as to whether Jones – who has only played in three Premier League games this season – is worth purchasing.
However, Hutton could have a point with this one – and if the club can find a way to reduce his alleged £75,000-per-week, then they could be onto a winner with Phil Jones.
Of course, as mentioned previously they have a lot of centre backs to choose from, but who knows whether all of those players will stay. Additionally, if this season is anything to go by, strength in depth is something this squad evidently needs as many have been susceptible to injuries, with many of those defenders suffering serious injuries in this campaign.
Whether he is worth going after will depend on who leaves the club and who is available at what price. But if Toon are in need of a centre-back, then Jones could be well worth it at £12m, as with 200 Premier League appearances behind his back at the highest level, he could bring a wealth of experience.