Arsenal transfer news: Jose Mourinho to block Arsene Wenger's attempts to sign Phil Jones

Manchester United are set to reject any offers from Arsenal for Phil Jones – because Jose Mourinho does not want to do business with rival Arsene Wenger.

While the Gunners continue their search for a centre-back, having lost Per Mertesacker on a long-term basis through injury, the Evening Standard has reported that Mourinho will block any attempts made by Wenger to poach his players.

Jones has emerged as a potential candidate for Arsenal as they struggle to bring in defensive cover for Mertesacker.

While Valencia’s Skhodran Mustafi remains within the Gunners’ sights - the Spaniards recently announced that they would now be prepared to sell the German – the matter of money will inevitably continue to prove a sticking point in the deal.

Although Mustafi remains the prime target for Arsenal, the club have already begun scouting for alternatives.

Jones is one of many in a long list of Arsenal targets that includes Bayer Leverkusen’s Omer Toprak, Simon Kjaer of Fenerbahce, Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez and Southampton’s Jose Fonte club – although the Gunners believe Fonte will join United before the close of the transfer window.

But while Jones may not be central to Mourinho’s plans at Old Trafford, it’s understood that the 53-year-old will not sanction the sale of the England international to his bitter rival.

Given the pair’s fractious relationship over the years, it seems Mourinho would prefer not to strengthen Wenger’s hand.

The Portuguese has already attempted to provoke the Frenchman after suggesting at his unveiling as United manager in July that he had little to prove compared with “some managers who last won a title ten years ago”.

Despite being told that he does have a future at Old Trafford, Jones may still be tempted by the prospect of a move to the Emirates Stadium where the guarantee of regular football would be somewhat higher than at Old Trafford.