TBR View: West Ham landing Manchester United star will surely boost Arsenal pursuit

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West Ham are reportedly rivalling Newcastle United in the race to sign Manchester United outcast Phil Jones this summer – but if the Hammers do complete a move for Jones, surely that hands Arsenal a transfer boost?

Jones, 28, has only been afforded two Premier League appearances this season. Indeed, the England international has fallen down the pecking order below the likes of Harry Maguire, Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof and even Axel Tuanzebe.

According to The Mirror, both Premier League clubs want to sign Jones – who has now surpassed 200 Premier League appearances for both United and Blackburn. It is believed a fee of just £12million will be enough to sign Jones.

West Ham boast a strong chance of signing Jones if they stay up, given that Jones worked under David Moyes at Old Trafford during the Scot’s time in charge. The Hammers are well-stocked at centre-back.

Landing Jones would see them add the versatile star to a list that includes Angelo Ogbonna, Fabian Balbuena and Issa Diop. But the latter has been linked with Arsenal, and Jones would hardly move to West Ham to make up the numbers.

Since joining West Ham in the summer of 2018, 23-year-old Diop has starred in the Premier League. Clocking up 64 appearances, he has been the star in a largely under-performing side – even scoring five goals for the east Londoners.

The Mirror claimed in another report that Arsenal wanted to solve their defensive struggles by luring Diop across London, and to The Emirates. The Hammers will hardly be inclined to sell, especially given they would need a replacement.

But if The Hammers sign Jones from Manchester United, surely that would make the east Londoners more open to offers for one of their star players in Diop – and therefore hand Arsenal a boost in their reported bid to sign the Frenchman?