Phil Jones has today had his medical at Carrington ahead of a £15 Million pound move to Manchester United. Its been all systems go over the last 48 hours as Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea, Manchester United went head to head to capture the highly rated England under 21 International. The player held talks with Wenger last night but as soon as it was evident that Ferguson wanted the player, Then Jones his mind was made up to stay in the North West.
This news will come as a blow to the majority of Rovers fans who have seen their club fall to pieces in the 6 months with so much uncertainty surrounding the new owners. However this was an episode which was always going to end in tears as it became public Knowledge that clause had been put in the young centre backs contract back in January. There will be many days of people trying to lay the blame at individuals doors, but the club had very little power, but to insert the clause or risk losing the player for much less than the reported agreed figure.
Steve Kean is currently on route to India to discuss Blackburn's own transfer activity and moves for players are expected to be imminent. Blackburn had already for casted their transfer budget long before the season ended and this was not dependant on sales. However the club have also indicated that should money be generated from sales that this would be added to any budget which has already been set aside.
There have been many conflicting reports over what has been made available to the Manager to spend, and many individuals are speculating, Reports of £5 Million plus bringing forward £5 Million forward from the January window is wide of the mark. A strong source who has always been 100% reliable has suggested to me that this figure is double that, and no figure's have been banded into the press officially from the club due to effect it would have on clubs bumping prices up. This untimely departure of Jones will also be a concern for Rovers as club's will automatically be holding Blackburn to ransom knowing that money is now available.
The news of Jones departure has already had agents trying to punt their clients to Blackburn as possible replacements, although Rovers will not be panic buying.
So where do we go from here?
When all the dust settles Rovers will find themselves minus one player, But on the other hand they will also find themselves with a much bigger than anticipated transfer budget, which will also open another window when it comes to paying wages. Rovers are in still in the market for a marquee player and despite Jones departure he is not a household name beyond these shores.
His departure will not have a negative effect on targets and provided those targets are in place before the start of pre-season it should not have a negative effect on the rest of the squad. Chris Samba has been heavily linked with a move away this summer, but that has cooled due to Rovers asking price and not many potential suitors.
Steve Kean has assured everyone that we will buy quality to prevent a repeat of last season when Rovers survived relegation on the final day of the season, and its important that as fans we allow him the opportunity to put his words into action. Its too easy to be critical today, and we must all look at the bigger picture. Blackburn now find themselves with the biggest transfer budget they have ever had in the history of the club, and its a time to be optimistic and excited that we can finally attract the right profile of players to Ewood Park
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