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Man United star tipped to join Premier League rivals for £12m this summer: report

Manchester United defender Phil Jones could be the subject of interest from Newcastle United when the transfer window reopens in a few months’ time.

The England international has dropped down the pecking order at Old Trafford over the past few years and in the current campaign, he has been restricted to just eight appearances in all competitions.

Out of those, only two have come in the English top-flight where the likes of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly have been preferred ahead of him in the pecking order for the central defensive role.

According to The Mirror, the Magpies are prepared to offer a lifeline to the former Blackburn Rovers graduate but they would still have to meet United’s £12m valuation for the centre-back.

Jones has been with United for the past eight-and-half years and during this period, he has been sidelined with a number of injuries, which have hampered his chances of cementing a regular role.

Maguire and Lindelof are now regarded as the undisputed choices for Solskjaer at the heart of the defence and the likes of Bailly and Luke Shaw have been preferred when the Norwegian has gone with a back three.

Axel Tuanzebe and Timothy Fosu-Mensah are some of the academy graduates, who should compete for the position in the future and it seems worthwhile for Jones to head for the exit door this summer.

Jones signed a surprise four-year contract at the start of last year but that decision will be justifiable, if the club are able to command the £12m fee from the Magpies, which can be utilised for summer purchases.