Jones set for United switch as Black Cats eye up trio

THE transfer merry go-round shifted up a gear last night as Manchester United were on the verge of completing a £16 million (€18m) move for Blackburn defender Phil Jones — but with three Red Devils potentially on their way out of the club.

Jones was undergoing a medical with the Barclays Premier League champions, who have beat Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham to secure the signature of the 19-year-old England Under-21 international.

It is believed the deal for Jones, who has made a huge impression at Ewood Park since his debut in March last year, would cost United £15-£17m.

His signing would be a big coup for the Premier League champions. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is said to have personally intervened to try to push through a move for Jones only for the teenager to follow Chris Smalling in preferring a future at Old Trafford.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp admitted: “I was in for the boy Jones. We were interested in him. He’s an amazing talent. It looks like one day he could be an England centre-half for many years to come.”

United’s Wayne Rooney welcomed any move for Jones, saying on Twitter: “Phil Jones is a good young English player. One of the toughest defenders I played against last season. Can play midfield too.”

Jones would face stiff competition for a first-team place at United from the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling. But two men who Jones may not have to compete with are Wes Brown and — perhaps — John O’Shea.

Sunderland wasted little time in attempting to bolster their squad in anticipation of Jordan Henderson’s imminent £20m departure for Liverpool by submitting a triple bid to Manchester United.

The Black Cats tabled a joint offer amounting to in excess of £12m for defender Wes Brown and Irish midfielder Darron Gibson and a third member of Alex Ferguson’s first-team squad, believed to be another Irish international, John O’Shea.

United are believed to open to Sunderland’s advances and it now appears up to the players if they want to move.

Chairman Niall Quinn yesterday promised that Steve Bruce’s squad would be strengthened, and he will hope the latest development is viewed as a sign of intent by fans disappointed at the 20-year-old Academy graduate’s impending departure following Darren Bent’s defection in January.