The truth about the Phil Jones to Leicester City rumour

A transfer rumour emerged this week concerning Manchester United’s Phil Jones being involved in a part exchange for Leicester City’s Harry Maguire. Is there any truth to it?

In the last fortnight we’ve witnessed the media make a collective mess of speculating about, and reporting on, the future of Leicester City defender Harry Maguire. First it was, ‘no bids’. Then ‘£70 million offered’, after that came, ‘all interest rejected’.

Following this, a few outlets began divulging the information that the Foxes stalwart was travelling to Manchester for a medical with United. It was fairly easy to deconstruct the veiled jumping of the gun.

Due to personal terms not having been agreed, it was fairly obvious the rumour was accelerating prematurely. We would have heard a whisper, or seen a picture of Maguire shopping at the Trafford Centre on Twitter or something. Maguire playing for Leicester on the Tuesday really made The Sun‘s assertion an embarrassing one.

However most English sports media companies seem to now be agreeing, along with certainly appearing to be on the same page with regards to the prospective transfer. Whilst Leicester Mercury quote Brendan Rodgers as saying two bids from United have been rejected.

Unfortunately for forward thinking Foxes fans, Phil Jones is being ‘touted’ – whether the notion was concocted by journalists, the East Midlanders or the North West club is unclear – as a possible part exchange for Maguire.

In this week’s Telegraph was the suggestion that the Red Devil is being considered as part of United’s offer to Leicester for Maguire:

"Jones – who signed a new four-and-a-half year contract in February – has been touted as a potential makeweight in a deal for Maguire."

From a personal stance point, as someone who works as an analyst of Leicester in some respect, this writer does not want to see the former Blackburn Rovers man in a different Blue strip. Jones is undoubtedly a fine, inspiring professional with a lack of care for his own personal safety; the win at all cost mentality is incredible.

Yet the centre-back currently playing under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a rather uncultured player; especially as he has played in midfield at Old Trafford. Can he replicate his potential replacement’s aptitude for dribbling, advancing and the passing repertoire? No, is the answer.

The ex-England centre-half doesn’t either provide as particularly devastating aerial efficiency in defence; nor the attacking heading prowess of Leicester’s ‘slabhead’. Though in the tackle Jones is superb with head or foot; while his reading of the game is erratic and often unmeasured.

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Naturally the King Power club should still expect between £50m-£60m in addition to Jones – if a deal is completed. In reality the Blue Army will be hoping there is not, because the aforementioned athlete does not elevate the Foxes at all. In fact Leicester have defenders as good waiting in the wings: such as Filip Benkovic and Caglar Soyuncu.

If Foxes of Leicester had to guess, then we assess Maguire will eventually depart before transfer deadline day. We do not envisage Jones moving to Leicester. Brendan Rodgers has been very clear in saying that the club wants a Premier League finish of sixth or higher; therefore incomings of a higher standard should be targeted.

Do you want the United player on Filbert Way? Tell us below in the comment section or at our verified Twitter account – we always reply to humorous or insightful tweets and follow the best!