Everton keeping tabs on the situation of Manchester United defender Phil Jones
Everton are monitoring the situation of Manchester United centre-back Phil Jones, with the Red Devils ready to let him go for nothing.
According to 90min, the Theatre of Dreams outfit want the 29-year-old out in a bid to make room for the arrival of Raphael Varane from Real Madrid, a deal that looks close to completion after The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported on Monday evening that they were “finalising” the transfer for the Frenchman.
Preston-born Jones, meanwhile, is no longer in the plans of Man Utd manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but they may still have to finance some of his £100,000-a-week wages for a move to Everton or anywhere else come to fruition.
Benitez keen?
New Toffees boss Rafa Benitez is famous for improving some of the players to have played under him, and it would not shock us if he is keen on Jones.
The Spaniard wants defensive reinforcements, and the fact that our three signings of the summer transfer window so far have cost just £1.7million could mean he does not have a lot to spend.
Jones needs a change of environment and a manager who can revive his career, and a move to Goodison Park could make sense.
Everton fans would grumble should Benitez make such a move, but we know the Spaniard loves a challenge.
With 27 caps to his name, Jones could still have something to offer, and it would be erroneous to tag him a lost cause.
Turning his fortunes around would require a lot of effort on the part of a willing coach, but we cannot put this past Benitez.
Other suitors would be keen to take a punt on a player once highly rated by Sir Alex Ferguson, and we reckon it would not hurt for the Toffees to give this one a try.
One never knows what could happen with such a huge gamble.
In other Everton news, Rafa Benitez fires warning at Toffees player after starring role in Florida Cup win.
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