West Ham have been linked with one of David Moyes' former players this week but David Sullivan and co must block any move for him as it would be an unmitigated financial disaster at the London Stadium...

What's the word?

According to Eurosport's Dean Jones, the Irons are checking out Manchester United defender Phil Jones ahead of the summer transfer window but it is suggested that he would command wages in excess of £120k-per-week.

It is claimed that Moyes would like to conduct his transfer business early and he has two other Red Devils players in his sights, including Jesse Lingard.

The 29-year-old centre-back has not played in nearly 15 months and once claimed that he wanted to be the next Rio Ferdinand at Old Trafford.

Disaster waiting to happen

He would be far from the Hammers' own version of their former defensive colossus either. The fact that he hasn't played in so long is troubling as it is but even if he was fit and available, he would still be some way down the pecking order.

It is true that Moyes needs plenty of additions in the summer, to hand him enough strength in depth to compete in Europe, and Jones' experience in the English top-flight (200 appearances) and in competitions like the Champions League and the Europa League is appealing but this is a move that would've been good several years ago, not now.

His last appearance came in January 2020 in an FA Cup tie with lower league Tranmere Rovers. so you would have to wonder if he's truly a viable option ahead of next season as it will have been around 18 months since his last senior and competitive appearance.

All in all, it's been only three appearances since the start of 2020.

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Jones may only be valued at £4.5m but wages of £120k-per-week would comfortably put him as West Ham's highest earner and that would surely cause a few problems given there are far more deserving players amongst the current set-up and ones that have actually featured in the past year.

The rarely-seen 5 foot 11 centre-back was once described as "phenomenal" by Sir Alex Ferguson but according to Paul Robinson in an interview with Football Insider, the Irons will surely be looking to do better.

"Let’s be honest, he’s too injury prone," claimed the former PL shot-stopper before later adding: "I think Moyes will be looking for a player a-level-and-a-half better if you like. Jones has been exposed at times."

Indeed, back in January 2020 - around the time of his last outing - Martin Keown slammed the 27-time England international and said (via talkSPORT): "Sometimes he looks like he’s on roller-skates, sometimes he looks like the stunt-man of the team. "

Overall, a move for Jones would be a recipe for disaster and considering there are plenty of other names out there to bolster the backline, GSB would be better off spending those extortionate wages elsewhere.

Sullivan and co must block Moyes' bid to sign his former defender - at all costs.

AND in other news, Forget Abraham: West Ham can finally replace Haller with swoop for £26m-rated "beast"...