Andy Carroll and Phil Jones linked with joining Championship clubs

Andy Carroll and Phil Jones have been linked with joining Championship clubs as the summer transfer window comes to an end.

In what already has been a much talked about few months of deals and speculation, it could just about be about to get even more bizarre.

Reading are said to be in talks with bringing in free agent Andy Carroll, after he was released by the Magpies at the end of last season.

The forward, who has also played for Liverpool and West Ham United, as well as England, is in discussions according to FootballInsider, over a year-long move to Royals.

Manager Veljko Paunovic is known to be keen to get a new striker through the door ahead of the 11pm deadline on Tuesday night.

As it stands, George Puscas is the only fit striker at the club as Lucas Joao and Yakou Meite are both long-term absentees due to picking up an injury.

Carroll, who came through the ranks at Newcastle, recently left the North East outfit after a two-year spell back at St James’ Park.

However, he only scored one goal in that time and failed to find the form which earned him a move to Merseyside earlier in his career.

Reading have already signed six players this transfer window, with the likes of experienced duo Scott Dann and Danny Drinkwater the latest to be confirmed on Monday evening.

Boss Veljko Paunovic said on Drinkwater’s loan: “Danny’s talent and ability is unquestionable and to bring a player of his calibre to our club is extremely exciting.

“A proven winner, he is a player whose achievements on the pitch can inspire those around him and help to drive this club forward from the centre of midfield.

“We are very pleased to welcome him to Reading.”

Reading chief executive Dayong Pang added: “The opportunity to bring a player with Danny’s undoubted ability to our club was not one we could miss.

“I am confident he is a strong character who can help this squad gel and work together to improve performances and earn results. I’m delighted to welcome Danny to the club.”

Meanwhile, Phil Jones is reportedly interesting Fulham, with former Premier League goalkeeper Mark Crossley believing that he would bring experience to the Cottagers.

90min reported that the Cottagers are one of a number of Championship clubs interested in the Manchester United outcast with a loan move the most likely scenario.

The 29-year-old hasn’t made an appearance for all of last season at the Red Devils due to injury, but he did return to make his first appearance for Man Utd in 18 months in a behind closed doors friendly against Burnley earlier this month. Rio Ferdinand wants rid of him, yet Ole Gunnar Solskjaer defended his decision to play him.

With United bringing in Raphael Varane this summer, you would imagine that would send Jones further down the pecking order to fifth choice centre-back at Old Trafford and so a temporary move away could be a good option for him in order to get some much needed game time.

Crossley believes that Jones would bring experience to Fulham, telling Football FanCast: “I like Phil Jones, I think he’s a good player. But it just worries me about how injury prone he is but he’s obviously a top, top player.

“You don’t get signed by Manchester United if you’re not a top player. So, again you do need experience around the squad and maybe Phil Jones is that one just to give that extra little bit of experience.”

Fulham have done what Sheffield United couldn’t do in making a brilliant start to life back in the Championship under Marco Silva, picking up 13 points from a possible 15 so far and sit top of the table, conceding just three goals in the process.

Fans reacted with Andy Carroll and Phil Jones linked with joining Championship clubs…

ON CARROLL:

@Badgameuh: Saw Andy Carroll trending on deadline day and had a heart attack #lfc

@Jake_Moore89: You’d think Andy Carroll on a free would be as risk-free as it gets, but it’s the complete opposite. Awaiting his inevitable ankle injury 3 games in.

@PSideblog: They are really mopping up the premier league outcasts, first Danny Drinkwater and now Andy Carroll

@LukeRfc2: Pleasessssssss no, we’re doing so well with the current recruitment dont spoil it.

@_JackRFC_: Fuck it, get him in. Swifty wanging crosses in from left right and centre, we’re going up lads.

@mykopainto: Bring him home #pnefc. Get welbeck too whilst we’re at it

@QPR_Kian: Reading getting Carroll, Drinkwater and Dann? Retirement home FC.

@gibbsey517: Oh ffs you’re joking #readingfc

@Jamie_Hodder21: Behind this all day long. Some Twat who ain’t gonna take no shit. Bring it on! #ReadingFC

@bjturrner: HMS piss the…

@OllyURZ: #ReadingFC we already have an injury crisis

@Gilbers84: Reading assembling a great team if it was 2014.

@RustyRoyal: As if the medical team don’t already have enough work on.

@Negativenigel1: #readingfc a team taking on the most injury prone player in the name of football to solve their injury crisis. The Reading way.

@Hoops_1871: Not against this but we already have an injury hit squad. Keep him fit could be a good signing though

@AidenRFC_: Wouldn’t be against this. Could be a very effective opinion for us if he stays fit. I still think we need another striker though #readingfc

Jesus Christ. 2800 minutes in the last 4 years and has 4 goals. 1 goal in the last 3 years.

Also potentially having to sell to bring him in for a year where he more than likely spends a chunk injured?

This clubs long term planning is just in the bin by this point. Totally nuts https://t.co/clcdKgkOov pic.twitter.com/oAL6wrm9Me

— The Biscuit Analytic (@BiscuitAnalytic) August 31, 2021

ON JONES:

@InItToVinIt05: TAKE HIM! Get him to play football, for his sake. 🙌🏽

@RoalfDan: They can have him free transfer

@StevenClarkson: Honestly hope this happens and he has a great comeback season.

@ColBennettH4: People will shit on this but if this guy got remotely fit and got some confidence back Phil Jones is the most Fulham player ever.

@SeeJayFFC: I have absolutely no idea if Phil Jones can do it at Fulham, but I do know it’ll be a whack of a loan/wage fee. Very good player at one point in his career. Please dear god, voodoo magic, or lord Tom Cruise, please make him good at football again

@hitchp1: We have 12 defenders on the books plus a few decent youngsters in u23 would bring experience but not sure we need him would be a decent signing if wage structure was split

@Pm4n3y: Can see us offloading MLM, Odoi, Hector, Christie, Sess. Would help FFP, wage bill, etc. Jones is perfect foe cover at multiple positions.

@GCHTX: Not interested tbh

@nickaustin89: If reams injury is bad then it’d be good to get some experience at the back. If united pay 75% of wages haha. Don’t want to be relying on Mawson and kongolo staying fit.. but then isn’t Jones injury prone too?

@andrew_ffc: This smacks of the RLC situation all over again – unproven in recent memory, coming off injury, potential game minutes obligations … but then again, could be very different with the team on an upward trajectory and some good points above on his versatility. Big gamble either way