According to Phil Jones’ agent, Manchester United have stumped up a further £4 million to ensure the deal does not end up in the courts.
United appeared to have won the battle with Liverpool and Arsenal to sign the highly-rated teenager with a £16.5 million bid.
But it is alleged that United have since offered £20.5 million to see off the bids from the two Premier League clubs and secure the deal.
Jones’ agent originally confirmed to the Sunday Mirror writer, Paul Smith, that his client’s transfer would proceed as normal.
In a text he said: “I expect the deal to be formally announced in the next 48 hours. The buy-out clause put in by BRFC cannot be challenged.”
He added that Jones was “given permission by BRFC to speak to four clubs who met the buy-out clause and he opted for MUFC. It would make no difference to the player if LFC offered more money at this stage. He has joined United in the best interest of his career.”
However, Sporting Intelligence have gone to claim that, despite the buy-out clause being £16.5 million, United chose to increase their offer to £20.5 million.
SI argues that United paid the extra cash to push the deal through and avoid an acrimonious legal battle.
The article read: “A crucial fact that muddied the waters is United appeared to know precise details about the terms of the release before Rovers had given any club permission to speak to the player.
The only way United could have known this is if Rovers had told them – and sources insist they didn’t – or if somebody else told them when they shouldn’t have done so under the letter of the transfer laws.
This fact, as well as Liverpool’s offer of £22m, gave Rovers some traction in negotiations. Well-placed senior sources in India have made it clear that a tapping-up complaint against Manchester United was an option open to them.
If Manchester United felt they were on solid ground with their £16.5m deal and no more, that’s what they’d be paying. But they’re not paying that. That’s why the deal has been agreed at £20.5m. They are paying more to make the deal happen now.”
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