Newcastle United have had a busy summer.After the disappointment of their collapsed takeover by Amanda Staveley and PIF, it looked like the Magpies were set for a painfully quiet transfer window.Mike Ashley appeared set to minimise outgoing as he looked to revive any hope of striking a deal to sell the club.But with that takeover fizzling out, focus turned to strengthening the first team.Newcastle comfortable avoided relegation last term but knew that additions would be needed if they were to steer clear of a basement battle this time around.Much to the surprise of supporters, they certainly managed that with some solid additions.Jeff Hendrick and Mark Gillespie both arrived on free transfers early in the summer, before a thoroughly exciting 48 hours saw them tie up deals for three top flight players.They were Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser and Jamal Lewis who arrived from Bournemouth and Norwich City respectively.
Those deals appeared to spend much of what was in the transfer kitty for the summer, meaning that free transfers, bargains and loan deals would be the focus from that point on.Steve Bruce carries hopes of adding a defender to his ranks and so the latest reports from St James' Park weren't much of a surprise.Reports from The Telegraph, via Chronicle Live, have claimed that Newcastle have made an approach to sign Phil Jones this summer.The Manchester United man is way down the pecking order at Old Trafford and could be available for move before the transfer window shuts.The Magpies were credited with an interest in a loan switch for the former England defender, however according to Lee Ryder of Chronicle Live this isn't the case.He did, however, claim that a loan move could materialise before the deadline next week.
Taking to Twitter, Ryder said: "No loan approach for Phil Jones from Newcastle United at this stage in the window.
"Although Steve Bruce not ruling out loan deals in general in remainder of window."
GIVEMESPORT'S Phil Spencer says...
A move for Phil Jones would be a reals surprise if it was to come off.
The Manchester United man was regarded as one of the most promising players in the Premier League just a few years ago, but things have since gone sour.
With first team opportunities non-existent at Old Trafford, it seems that his future is definitely away from the club.
Valued at £6.3million by Transfermarkt, Jones hasn't played a lot of football lately, and given the hefty wages that he's on, this seems to be a stumbling block for teams looking to strike a deal.
Now 28 years old, the defender could be shrewd addition given the fact that he's got plenty to prove.
However it would be a rather costly punt from the Magpies to pursue him over other targets.
By the sounds of things it doesn't sound like a move is a real priority, but it will be interesting to see if that changes in the coming weeks.