Newcastle have an advantage over West Ham United and Leicester City in the race to sign Phil Jones from Manchester United next year, as reported by Eurosport.
Steve Bruce might not be everyone’s cup of tea but, as Sunderland fans will tell you, his extensive contact book can certainly come in handy at times.
The Black Cats signed a host of players from Old Trafford during the Manchester United legend’s time on Wearside, including Wes Brown, Darron Gibson and John O’Shea.
And, amid reports suggesting Brandon Williams could be on his way to the North East during the January transfer window, Bruce’s current employers have now emerged as a potential destination for an £80,000-a-week Premier League winner too.
Eurosport claim that West Ham and Leicester are hoping to offer England international Jones a fresh start in 2021.
But Newcastle are currently at the front of queue. Bruce has been discussing the defender’s fitness with Old Trafford coach Michael Carrick, while his relationship with United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will do his chances no harm either.
Of course, Jones also worked with Moyes during the Scot’s short-lived spell in the hottest of hot seats back in 2013/14. The chance to reunite with a coach who knows and trusts him should carry some appeal.
And you would imagine that Jones’ former teammate, Jonny Evans, would speak in glowing terms about life at Leicester. The Northern Irishman fell out of favour at Manchester United but developed into one of the Premier League’s most reliable centre-halves at the King Power.
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers obviously hopes Jones is capable of a similar resurgence.
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