Big player, big move, appropriate fee.

By the time you've started reading this Phil Jones will have probably joined Manchester United. If not, keep reading anyway, because its all about him..

Jones only made his Premier League debut last year at the tender age of 18: standing tall in a home match against Chelsea that saw the usual patch of over-expecting sports writers publish their 24th edition of 'England's stars of the future' for this year, with Jones installed as captain. The Preston-born defender went on to appear a further 23 times in the league with Blackburn as well as making his England u21 debut in an incredible season for the teenager. In addition to this, most of his appearances at the tail-end of last season came from holding-midfield: further enhancing his reputation as a utility man at the back. After what seemed like years of speculation, Sir Alex Ferguson finally took a huge step-forward towards landing a player he's allegedly had eyes on for a while by making an offer for Jones that could rise to as much as £17m. But despite figures for players constantly on the rise, people have questioned whether the burly 19-year-old is really worth the price tag.

From Phil's perspective, the move couldn't have come at a better time. While Manchester United were preparing their bid, Liverpool were looking to tie up a deal of their own for Sunderland winger Jordan Henderson for an astronomical fee of £20m. Now, judging by the success of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, I don't dare question Kenny Dalglish's transfer policy, or what he pays for his players. But to me the figure just seems around £5-7m too much. I imagine Sunderland and Niall Quinn in particular drive a hard bargain which is where the valuation has come from, but the numbers for Luka Modric have come in at around £20m.. Nevertheless, this has definitely taken the limelight off the £17m for Jones and focused it on whether he can make it at Old Trafford. This is the same problem that any player joining the club has to face, and Jones can take comfort in knowing that he doesn't have any added pressure of being the summers biggest 'over-buy'.

He actually shouldn't have to think about this anyway: if he's great, he'll make it. This is the point that I believe everyone has to focus on rather than making early predictions and deciding his future before he's even put on the shirt. At 6ft 2in the physique is there, at 19 age is on his side; he just needs nurturing. Where better to be nurtured than at United? The £17m is what his new club will pay should Jones meet certain requirements, so the initial fee is probably based around the £13-4m mark, if that. Those requirements will most probably include England caps, United appearances and anything else that will see Jones realise his price tag, and then some. So if Sir Alex's new recruit does make future England squads, become a regular in the side and force the extra payments, he'll surely be worth it. Yes?

The two deals this week serve as prime examples of clubs paying over the odds for English players. Whether both Liverpool and United could have found something better abroad is up for question, but the scouting systems at both clubs are fantastic. Countless players graduating from both set-ups have gone on to ply their trade in the Premier League and gone on to represent their countries. To focus on Jones, its hard to think what more he needs to have to warrant a big move. Seemingly a down to earth guy, he will learn how to play at the highest level if he has patience and listens. The only slight reservation he might have is that United can afford this not to work out. Set to make a heavy loss on Bebe and Gabriel Obertan, the fees paid for these young starlets are just numbers on a screen to United. Why? Because one of them always works out. On paper, Jones could easily be the one that made the grade.. So, is he worth it? When adding it up, most definitely.