Manchester United refuse to negotiate defender deal with Arsenal
4th April 2016 - Barclays U21 Premier League - Manchester United U21 v Chelsea U21 - Phil Jones of Man Utd battles with Ola Aina of Chelsea - Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.
Manchester United are reportedly set to reject any offer from Arsenal for England international defender Phil Jones, according to the London Evening Standard.
The Premier League club, who defeated Southampton 2-0 last Friday at Old Trafford to preserve their 100% record in the top-flight, have been tipped to offload the centre-back before the close of the summer transfer window on August 31.
The 24-year-old, who has 20 international caps for the Three Lions, has failed to feature for the Red Devils under new manager Jose Mourinho so far this term.
Jones, who arrived at The Theatre of Dreams from Blackburn Rovers in a deal worth at least a reported £16.5m back in June 2011, made just 18 first-team appearances for United last season under former boss Louis van Gaal.
The report suggests that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger’s search for a new central defender has led to the possible availability of Jones, although it is understood that the ‘Special One’ [Mourinho] doesn’t want to do business with the Frenchman.