United Offered Arsenal Jones Swap For Vermaelen

England international Phil Jones was offered to Arsenal as part of a deal to sign Thomas Vermaelen.

Arsenal were keen to explore a deal involving a swap for Chris Smalling, but Manchester United were not keen, instead offering Jones to the Gunners.

Arsene Wenger had previously tried to sign Jones from Blackburn but the centre back opted instead to sign for the Old Trafford club, despite a fee being agreed by both clubs.

This time round, Wenger wasn’t so keen, and one reason may have been due to Arsenal medical staff’s concerns that the 22-year-old doesn’t train regularly between matches.

Insight from England’s medical team on Jones’ condition during the World Cup were fed back to Wenger’s scouting network and played a part in Arsenal’s decision not to pursue the offer from United.