Manchester United will demand £20million to sanction an exit for unwanted defender Phil Jones.
The former Blackburn Rovers centre-back arrived under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2011 to great expectation but has seen his career stall and he is now on the periphery of the first-team squad.
Jones, who surprisingly extended his deal through to 2023 last summer, could look to end his United exile in January and the Sun report it will take a fee of £20m.
Phil Jones is reportedly ready to seek a Manchester United exit as he is out of favour
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made little use of Jones, who has struggled for both fitness and form
Jones has struggled with his fitness in recent seasons and has managed just eight games in the past 12 months. He last featured in an FA Cup tie at Tranmere back in January and scored in the 6-1 victory.
His contract, which was renewed a year ago, comes in just shy of £100,000 a week before any bonuses.
Jones’ decline in form and fitness has seen him fall out of contention for club and country and at 28, with a Euros on the horizon, he will be acutely aware of the need to play football again.
The FA Cup tie at Tranmere in January was Jones’ last outing in a United shirt
Harry Maguire (left) and Victor Lindelof (right) have been Solskjaer’s first choice centre backs
With three years remaining on his deal at Old Trafford Jones knows he has security financially but should he wish to leave as early as January, a £20m fee may ward off any suitors.
United played hardball with Roma for Chris Smalling despite deeming the 30-year-old surplus to requirements.
It took a move finalised minutes before the Italian transfer deadline to turn his loan at the Stadio Olimpico into a permanent arrangement.
Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly are the three first-choice centre-back options for Solskjaer and Jones knows his path back to the United team includes a number of road-blocks.
United played hardball with Roma for the sale of Chris Smalling and Jones’ exit could be similar
Jones has been left out of United’s Champions League squad and so will have to watch his team-mates take on Paris Saint-Germain from home.
Fulham were credited with an interest in the summer and news of Jones’ reported desire for a new challenge could see suitors weigh up a move as early as January.
