Filed under: Blackburn Rovers, Manchester United, Premier League, Football, Transfer News
Although few Blackburn fans will be happy to see Phil Jones leave for Manchester United, it is hard to argue against the footballing logic of the deal.But now they will be left scratching their heads once again at the behaviour of owners Venky's, who are reportedly holding the deal up in a row over the transfer fee.
Jones, 19, has agreed personal terms and passed a medical with United earlier this week and headed off for the European Under 21 Championships believing a £16.5 million move to Old Trafford was imminent.
The defender, who was also said to be targeted by Arsenal and Liverpool, had a clause in his contract stating that he could leave Ewood Park for an offer in excess of £16 million.
But a report in the Daily Mirror claims that Venky's are upset at the way the clause becoming common knowledge and are now insisting that escape fee no longer applies.
The story insists that the deal will still go ahead, with United having to pay slightly more than the current £16.5 million fee.
The Daily Telegraph claims that United are still certain that the deal will go through despite suggesting that Blackburn now want as much as £25 million for the highly-rated youngster.
The Daily Mail, meanwhile, claims that Venky's believe the escape fee only allowed clubs to speak to Jones and did not guarantee that Blackburn would sell if that fee was met.
Should it turn out that Venky's feel they have a genuine complaint about the way the deal has gone through, they could report United to the Football Association for an illegal approach.
But even if they were proved right, the precedents hardly suggest it will make much of a difference financially.
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