Phil Jones would have to take a pay cut to join Newcastle on a permanent basis, with the Northern Echo reporting that a loan move for the Manchester United man is a more likely scenario.
It is fair to say this is not how a man who joined from Blackburn Rovers in a £16 million all those years ago planned to spend his testimonial year at Old Trafford.
Jones has not made a single appearance in all competitions under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season. In fact, since the start of 2019/20, the England international has featured just twice in the Premier League.
However, as Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling have shown, there is life after Manchester United.
Eurosport claimed on Tuesday that Newcastle manager Steve Bruce has been in touch with Old Trafford coach Michael Carrick in an attempt to gauge Jones’ fitness levels after so long out of the team.
Bruce’s relationship with the 13-time Premier League champions surely gives the Magpies an advantage over fellow suitors West Ham and Leicester City.
The Echo, however, claims that Newcastle have no plans to sign Jones’ permanently due to his £100,000-a-week contract. The man himself would have to take a pay cut to make that happen, given that no one in Bruce’s current squad earns a six-figure weekly sum.
Newcastle would prefer a short-term loan deal but whether Manchester United are willing to play ball remains to be seen.
Then again, should Jones impress at St James’ Park, that would do Solskjaer’s hopes of selling Jones for a decent fee no harm at all.
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