Manchester United are set to see off Liverpool and Arsenal and sign England U21 defender Phil Jones from Blackburn for a reported £16million. Jones is expected to sign a five-year deal at Old Trafford after completing a medical this afternoon.
Jones was expected to sign for Liverpool, but it looks like United have beaten them a player that a lot of people think could be England’s future center-half.
Jones can play in the centre of defence as well as a defensive midfielder. Looking down the line, it is nor hard to envision a partnership for club and country of Smalling and Jones.
United striker Wayne Rooney reacted to the news by writing on Twitter:
“Phil Jones is a good young English player. One of the toughest defenders I played against last season. Can play midfield too.”
He added:
“I don’t know if Phil Jones is signing for us, just saying he is a good player that’s all. I haven’t got a clue if he is signing or not.”
The signing makes you wonder about the future of Jonny Evans and Wes Brown. Evans seemed to take a big step backwards last season, especially when compared to the play of Smalling. Wes Brown has one year left on his current deal and it would not be a surprise to see both of these players sold this summer.
When he was younger, Evans went to Sunderland on loan and really impressed. Steve Bruce just got a lot of money from the Henderson sale and I expect him to call United and inquire about Evans and/or Brown.
