Bordeaux could make a move for Manchester United centre-back Phil Jones before the transfer window closes.
Jones missed nearly two years of his career with a nasty knee injury but battled his way back to fitness and made his competitive return earlier this month, playing 90 minutes in United’s 1-0 defeat to Wolves at the start of January.
He has since been a permanent fixture on Ralf Rangnick’s bench, with Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly all ahead of him in the pecking order.
Game time looks to be limited for Jones, but L’Equipe note that Bordeaux are looking to take advantage of that with a late bid.
Bordeaux, who are struggling down towards the bottom of Ligue 1, are trying to rebuild their squad midway through the campaign and need to sell players before they can make any late additions.
A few departures have already been sorted but Bordeaux still need more before they can authorise a move for Jones. Otavio is close to joining Atletico Mineiro and former Sunderland and Fulham striker Josh Maja is on the cusp of moving to Stoke. If both of those deals go through, a move for Jones could follow soon after.
The decision will likely rest on Rangnick, who has been reluctant to trim his squad too much in this of all seasons, in which mass absences can spring up at any given moment.
Jones has been third choice recently, with Bailly away at the African Cup of Nations and Lindelof dealing with Covid-19 and then missing the 1-0 victory over West Ham to be with his family after his home was targeted by burglars.
Elsewhere, United have given midfielder Donny van de Beek the chance to choose his preferred loan destination after agreeing to ship him off temporarily for the remainder of the season.
Crystal Palace and Everton are both keen to keep him in the Premier League, while Arsenal have also enquired about the possibility of a loan deal.