West Bromwich Albion had been linked with a move for Manchester United defender Phil Jones.
According to a recent report from the Daily Mirror, West Brom are interested in bolstering their defensive ranks by targeting a stunning double swoop for Manchester United pair Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.
With Victor Lindelof being signed by the Red Devils, the Baggies may have perhaps been hoping that there would be scope for a deal to be done – but it appears that those hopes have been dealt a minor blow.
Manchester United’s Phil Jones
In comments reported by the Daily Mirror more recently, Jones has suggested that he is looking forward to fighting for his place in the Red Devils’ team.
“If there’s competition, there’s competition. There are some terrific defenders at the club and that’s the way it should be as well. You want to test yourself against the best and play with the best, and that’s what we’ve got here. There’s strength in depth, and that’s what we need. That’s what the manager thought we needed,” he said, as reported by the Mirror.
Jones’ comments suggest that the 25-year-old is under no illusions regarding how difficult it will be to play regularly for Jose Mourinho’s men, but he is still relishing the prospect.
That would suggest that the England international has absolutely no plans to consider a move away from Old Trafford, which may be a blow for Tony Pulis – even with the Baggies adding Ahmed Hegazy to their ranks this summer.
West Brom manager Tony Pulis
West Brom arguably need to bolster their options right across the pitch, and adding Jones to their ranks would have undoubtedly been a fantastic move for the Hawthorns outfit given his versatility and quality.
But with Jones insisting that he is looking forward to the fight at United, it would appear that unless Mourinho makes it clear that he is not in his plans or West Brom manage to make an eye-watering offer, Pulis will miss out on this target.
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