Manchester United hope to close Phil Jones deal

Manchester United look poised to acquire Blackburn Rovers’ Phil Jones but financial arrangements have yet to be agreed.

Sir Alex Ferguson had been circling the central defender last week, the 19-year-old going as far as to have a medical for the club. However, while the Red Devils' bid of £16.5m met Jones’s escape clause, Blackburn have their sights set higher.

While some reports claim that Rovers are conceding over the matter, The Mirror suggests that United are upping the amount to around £20m, some of which would be paid in instalments.

The Under-21s player has also attracted attention from Arsenal and Liverpool, the latter offering a last-minute sum of £22m over the weekend.