Manchester United forgotten man Phil Jones is unsellable despite the imminent arrival of Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane.
The 29-year-old defender has not played for the Red Devils in 18 months after falling out of favour before picking up a long-term knee injury, with four other centre-backs enjoying game time in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side in that time.
Jones, who still has two years left on his United contract, will fall down the pecking order even further when French international Varane arrives at Old Trafford in a £42million deal from Spanish giants Real.
And according to the Manchester Evening News, Jones is unable to attract a transfer fee due to the injury that has ruled him out for 13 months, even though his contract expiry date is in June 2023.
The defender signed a new four-year deal mid-way through the 2018-19 season, just a couple of months after Solskjaer was installed as Red Devils boss following Jose Mourinho's sacking.
The deal means the 29-year-old earns £4million-a-year but he has not played since a 6-0 FA Cup victory over Tranmere Rovers at the beginning of 2020.
However, Jones was seen travelling with the United squad as part of their pre-season tour to Scotland last week, but will face an intense battle to force his way into Solskjaer's plans this season.
Jones first fell out of favour under Solskjaer as Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire stamped their authorities as first-choice centre-halves, while Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe are the back-up options in that position.
That competition means Jones is likely to seek a move away from Old Trafford this summer, with reports linking West Ham with a move for the defender on a free transfer.
The move would see Jones reunite with Hammers boss David Moyes, who worked with the centre-back during his brief spell as Red Devils boss between the summer of 2013 and April 2014.