Phil Jones' transfer to Manchester United held up as Venky's want £25 million for defender
Manchester United’s attempts to finalise their £16.5 million move for Blackburn defender Phil Jones have been delayed by a dispute with the Ewood Park club’s Indian owners over the escape clause in the 19 year-old’s contract.
High spirits: Phil Jones high-fives local schoolkids ahead of an England Under-21 training session but his mood might be tempered by news of a hold-up in his transfer to United.
Venky's, who completed their Blackburn takeover last November, believe that Jones is worth £25 million because of the confirmed interest of United, Liverpool and Arsenal in the centre-half.
United, who have agreed a £15 million transfer fee with Aston Villa for Ashley Young, believed they had secured England Under-21 international Jones to a five-year deal after triggering his escape clause on Tuesday by offering in excess of £16 million for the player.
Jones has passed a medical and agreed personal terms with United, but the transfer is yet to be rubber-stamped because of the confusion at Ewood Park, which has led owners Venky's to believe that the £16 million trigger clause enabled clubs to only speak to Jones before making a more sizeable offer.
Venky's’ football advisers are understood to be attempting to resolve the impasse by making it clear to the Indian owners that the clause, inserted into Jones’s contract when he agreed an extension to his terms in February, enables a transfer to take place at the cost of the escape clause.
There are no fears at United or among the player’s advisers that the transfer is in any doubt.
United will complete the signing of England forward Young, however, when the 25 year-old undergoes a a medical after returning from holiday later this month.
Personal terms have been agreed with Young, who has rejected interest from Liverpool.
Young’s arrival will place the United future of Nani into further doubt, however.
The Portuguese winger has already confided to team-mates that he has become unsettled by the return to fitness of Antonio Valencia and Young’s signing is likely to further reduce his opportunities.
Inter Milan and Juventus are both keen to sign the 24 year-old, but Inter’s interest could enable United to strike a player-plus-cash deal for Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder.
Dimitar Berbatov is also facing renewed uncertainty over his future at United, despite his insistence that he will see out the remaining 12 months of his contract.
With United rejecting interest from Tottenham in England forward Danny Welbeck following his return from a season-long loan at Sunderland, Berbatov could be fifth-choice forward at Old Trafford next season.
Phil Jones' transfer to Manchester United held up as Venky's want £25 million for defender - Telegraph
