Four centre-backs linked to Southampton after Vestergaard exit

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 25: Phil Jones of Manchester United during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Rochdale at Old Trafford on September 25, 2019 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 25: Phil Jones of Manchester United during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Rochdale at Old Trafford on September 25, 2019 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
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Phil Jones (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Phil Jones (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

Phil Jones

A report from 90min back in July suggested that Saints were one of the clubs looking to sign Jones from Manchester United this summer with the Red Devils ready to let the 29-year-old go on a free transfer.

A host of other Premier League teams are also said to be monitoring developments and United will want a resolution to the situation in this window – although 90min do suggest that Jones has a contract at Old Trafford worth £100,000 per week.

Jones’ experience would probably be valuable to a young Saints squad and playing in high-profile games in the past will see him able to give advice to those learning the game.

He has a label for being prone to mistakes but was signed as the next big thing by Manchester United. Perhaps Saints could help him return to some of his best form.

Overall though, it is not realistic to suggest that Jones will be the direct Vestergaard replacement in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s squad. A younger player who has been playing much more consistently in the past couple of seasons will probably be targeted.

Read Saints Marching’s original report on this link here.