West Bromwich Albion have been linked with a double swoop for the Manchester United pair, but Jose Mourinho is unlikely to sanction two defensive exits.
According to a report from the Mirror, West Bromwich Albion are targeting an ambitious double swoop for Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, but there is no way Manchester United will allow both players to leave this summer.
Victor Lindelof’s arrival means one player could well depart, with the Swedish international set to partner Eric Bailly in Jose Mourinho’s first-choice defensive unit.
However, United are well aware of the problems that injuries and suspensions can cause, with last season seeing practically all their senior centre-backs ruled out at one stage or another, and signing one defender only to sell two makes no sense.
Marcos Rojo proved his doubters wrong in emphatic fashion last season, but the Argentine international is currently recovering from a cruciate ligament injury and United will not be rushing him back when he is ready to return.
That leaves Smalling, Jones and Daley Blind as United’s other options for the centre of the defence, with the latter also able to cover at left-back, and Mourinho will want to head into the new season with at least five senior defenders given the club’s return to the Champions League.
West Brom will be looking at United’s defensive options enviously yet the best they can realistically hope for is one deal, most likely Smalling.
Jones’ versatility means he should remain at Old Trafford, but his teammate will not want to go from first-choice to bit-part player and West Brom could seal a superb signing if they can convince Smalling to move to The Hawthorns.
A double deal makes for romantic headlines, however West Brom are never going to get two United defenders in one go, at least not this year.
The fact that former United players have excelled at the Baggies means their manager Tony Pulis has quite the bargaining chip, and if West Brom act quickly they could at least get one brilliant deal over the line before another club beats them to it.
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