Fans of Newcastle United have been reacting to a post on Twitter, which relays reports that Steve Bruce is interested in signing Manchester United centre-back Phil Jones this summer.
Jones, who arrived at Manchester United from Blackburn Rovers in 2011, has made just two Premier League appearances for United so far this season, averaging an unimpressive WhoScored match rating of 6.39.
The 28-year-old centre-back has fared slightly better in the Europa League, averaging a 7.33 match rating over his three games played in the competition, however, with just seven appearances across all competitions this term, it would appear that Jones is no longer in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s future first-team plans.
As such, a recent report from the Daily Mirror has claimed that the £8.1 million-rated defender would be available for £12 million this summer, with Newcastle and West Ham both interested.
In reaction to the reports, relayed by NUFC 360 on Twitter, Magpies fans flocked to state their disapproval at the potential transfer, with many claiming that signing Jones would be a low point for the club, while others simply claiming that the club doesn’t need another centre-back.
#MUFC defender Phil Jones will be available for £12m this summer & with Steve Bruce a huge admirer, Jones believes the time is right to make the break from Old Trafford in a bid to get regular action.#NUFC are likely to have competition with West Ham boss David Moyes. [Mirror]
— NUFC360 (@NUFC360) March 15, 2020
If we pay money for Phil Jones it will truly be our rock bottom as a football club.
— Barry Blakely (@BarryBlakely) March 15, 2020
He is utter rubbish
— David Burdis (@mintydave01) March 15, 2020
If we buy Jones I will no longer be a NUFC supporter.
— David Linsdell (@Linsa119) March 15, 2020
Ya joking right!
— spugysnr (@spugysnr) March 15, 2020
no. no. no.
— ?Wilf (@WonjoMelvey) March 15, 2020
How is he going to get regular action here when lascelles, schar, lejuene, clark and Fernandes are all better than him
— Shaun (@ShaunGrey22) March 15, 2020
Don’t need him.
— Brian Nicholson? (@Brian_NUFC) March 15, 2020
Wadnt get a game at barnet …pathetic
— johnny hope (@HopeJohnny) March 15, 2020
Massive downgrade on what we have. Can’t think of any reason to being in a player who has been playing dreadful football for years.
— Paul Busby (@xB1scu1Tx) March 15, 2020
Our defenders are better than him.
A none starter ?— Roy Kaviani (@roykaviani) March 15, 2020
What do we think?
Centre-back is a position in which Newcastle United already appear to have reasonable depth, with Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar, Federico Fernandez, Ciaran Clark and Florian Lejeune already at the club.
It therefore seems a move for Phil Jones would be a little odd, as well as something that fans of the club appear to wholeheartedly disagree with. As such, if Bruce has any intention of keeping fans on his side, then it could perhaps be a wise move for him to avoid a move for Jones altogether.