Newcastle have made enquiries to Manchester United about the availability of defensive pair Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, a report from The Telegraph has claimed.
The Magpies are in the market for a centre back this summer, with a loan move for Arsenal’s Rob Holding having failed to materialise.
According to the latest reports, the Magpies had made contact with Manchester United over the availability of both Jones and Smalling after apparently missing out on a deal for Holding, who looks to have re-established himself in the Arsenal side.
However, the report goes on to suggest that Newcastle will have to sell players in order to ease the pressure on the wage budget by selling players before they are able to bring in any more recruits.
It remains to be seen whether or not the Old Trafford club have confirmed that either Jones or Smalling are available before the window closes in just under a weeks time.
With Smalling having spent last season out on loan in Italy with Roma, and Jones struggling for game time at Old Trafford, it does seem as though there is scope to suggest that the duo could both be available this summer.
Given their top-flight experience, either Smalling or Jones could be useful for Newcastle in their search for a new centre back, and could be open to a move to St James’ Park, in the hope of kick-starting their Premier League careers.
Even so, you feel as though neither of the pair will be particularly cheap when it comes to wages, meaning you feel there will have to be a good deal of negotiation and compromise if there is any chance of a deal such as this happening.