Man United beating Liverpool in race for Jones

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson is bidding to win the race for Blackburn's England under-21 star Phil Jones - but he will HAVE to offer £16million to get him.

Fergie has switched his search for a new defender to the talented Jones who is seen as Rio Ferdinand's long-term successor and the Old Trafford chief has told his money men to get him as part of a £80million spree.

The veteran boss now wants Jones as well as Aston Villa's Ashley Young at £18million and Atletico Madrid keeper David De Gea at the same price - but faces a price hike to land Udinese's Alexis Sanchez.

The United chief reckons he can get Jones for less than Blackburn's price - a fixed fee in the young giant's contract - but Rovers insiders insisted they will 'not take a penny less' than that price.

Ferguson is confident he can see off rivals Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham in the chase. Kenny Dalglish is determined to land his target but will also have to pay the full £16million.

However Fergie thinks the lure of United - even if Jones would probably not go straight into the side - will be too much for the Lancashire lad and he will match Liverpool if the auction soars to that level.

Blackburn boss Steve Kean, who flies to India to meet the club's owners today, knows he faces a losing battle to keep Jones.

But he is reluctant to take swaps as that would mean big wages and stop him signing the men he wants.

Source: Daily Mirror