Soccer:Blackburn have stepped aside to allow Phil Jones to "follow his dream" of joining Manchester United. Although Rovers have claimed Jones' switch to Old Trafford could eventually break their transfer record, United have not gone beyond the initial €18.7 million offer that triggered a buy-out clause in the teenager's contract last week.
Even as Blackburn owners Venky's were refusing to sanction the deal when it was first put together last Wednesday and were fielding renewed interest from Liverpool over the weekend, Alex Ferguson was secure in the knowledge Jones was not interested in going anywhere else.
So, once Jones' contribution to England's draw with Spain in their opening European Under-21 Championship group game was out of the way last night, further contact with Blackburn was made to assure the club any attempt at prolonging the transfer was futile.
Jones will formally sign a five-year contract once he returns from Denmark.
"Much as we would love him to stay on with us - and we made all efforts to convince him to stay - Phil has to finally follow his heart," said a statement on behalf of the Rovers' owners, directors and manager, released on the club website.
On his Twitter account this afternoon, Jones said: “I'd just like to start off by saying that I've loved my time at Blackburn and I will always be a huge fan. But this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am looking forward to a new challenge. Thank you for all your kind messages.”
Blackburn boss Steve Kean told Sky Sports News: "The offer we made was staggering for a 19-year-old, but it wasn't the money. Phil wants to play Champions League football now and we're not at that level. I'm sure we will be in the coming years, and we gave it a real good try and made him a fantastic offer, but I understand why he wants to go now. He goes with our blessing and it's an opportunity for us to invest in other young players across other areas of the pitch.
"We were hoping he was going to be captain of our club and captain of England, he's a fantastic prospect and I'm sure he'll be an England regular very soon."
It represents a smart piece of business for Ferguson, who knew the 19-year-old was also coveted by Arsenal, and secures another important piece in a developing United team that now contains four of England's starting line-up last night.
In addition, the Old Trafford chief is hoping to complete the signing of Spain goalkeeper David De Gea, who produced an excellent performance in Herning. However, Ferguson is not focusing purely on youth as he looks to rebuild in the wake of his club's chastening Champions League final defeat to Barcelona last month.
It is widely assumed Ashley Young's much-discussed switch from Aston Villa will be completed once the Midlands outfit have sorted out their managerial situation.
Ferguson is also trying to secure a replacement for recently retired playmaker Paul Scholes, although apparently it will not be Mesut Ozil, the Germany star whom United were interested in before he left Werder Bremen for Real Madrid last August.
"We thank Manchester United for their interest but Ozil is fine in Madrid and has no intention of leaving," said the midfielder's agent Reza Fazeli.
With Wesley Sneijder giving out mixed messages over a potential departure from Inter Milan and Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp repeatedly stating he has no interest in offloading Luka Modric, finding someone to step into Scholes' shoes is not going to be easy.
"That is up to the manager," laughed Scholes. "You only have to look at the youth team and what they have done this year to see there is a lot of talent at this club. There are some great players. But the ones we have been linked with are great as well."
Although he will be part of Ferguson's coaching team at the start of pre-season, with his precise role yet to be determined, Scholes will have no input in the discussions over his replacement.
Instead, he will be like any other fan, sitting back and waiting to find out which star name will eventually arrive, knowing his first appearance on English soil could well come in Scholes' testimonial game against New York Cosmos on August 5.
"It is a great time of year," said the 36-year-old. "Even when I was a player you see all these top players around the world that you're linked with, and you are excited about maybe playing with them. Now I am just like my son, hoping we buy the best players in the world and that they make us even stronger for next year."
Meanwhile, one of Ferguson's more bizarre recent captures, Bebe, is in talks with Turkish club Besiktas about a loan move. Ferguson broke the habit of a lifetime buy snapping Bebe up despite never actually seeing him play. The transfer has not really worked out, with the 20-year-old making only seven appearances, scoring two goals.
