Post by ade on Mar 27, 2007 15:12:46 GMT -1
Stoke City made a transfer window approach for Crewe star Billy Jones, Alex manager Dario Gradi revealed today.
Potters boss Tony Pulis stepped up his interest in the former England under-19s captain in January having tracked him for several weeks.
Gradi insisted the Shrewsbury-based defender saw out his contract while Crewe faced a potential relegation battle, but believes Pulis may renew his interest in the summer when Jones is free to leave.
He said: "Stoke wanted to buy Billy before the transfer deadline, but I didn't want to sell him because of the threat of relegation.
"They mentioned what sort of figure they would be looking at and we talked about the amount of money they would offer.
"While it wasn't enough to warrant selling him, it was half decent.
"I think Billy's dad would like him to stay at home, so a move to Stoke might suit him in the summer."
Jones has attracted healthy scouting interest since he was placed on the transfer list last October after turning down the offer of a new contract at the Alexandra Stadium.
Gradi hopes to avoid having a transfer tribunal set a fee for Jones by hammering out a more realistic compensation fee - possibly around the £750,000 mark - with an interested club.
He has spoken to Everton boss David Moyes, while Manchester City are known long-term admirers of Jones.
But Gradi admitted: "He could be going to Stoke, although he is good enough to play in the Premiership.
"We know there are other clubs watching him, including some from the Premiership."
Pulis today confirmed: "Yes, we were interested in the lad and we did make an inquiry, but there was no offer.
"The money Dario wanted was far in excess of what we think he is worth. Since then we have been looking elsewhere.
"The one thing I don't want to do at Stoke City is get involved in any kind of auction for players."
I think so after reading this ;d
Potters boss Tony Pulis stepped up his interest in the former England under-19s captain in January having tracked him for several weeks.
Gradi insisted the Shrewsbury-based defender saw out his contract while Crewe faced a potential relegation battle, but believes Pulis may renew his interest in the summer when Jones is free to leave.
He said: "Stoke wanted to buy Billy before the transfer deadline, but I didn't want to sell him because of the threat of relegation.
"They mentioned what sort of figure they would be looking at and we talked about the amount of money they would offer.
"While it wasn't enough to warrant selling him, it was half decent.
"I think Billy's dad would like him to stay at home, so a move to Stoke might suit him in the summer."
Jones has attracted healthy scouting interest since he was placed on the transfer list last October after turning down the offer of a new contract at the Alexandra Stadium.
Gradi hopes to avoid having a transfer tribunal set a fee for Jones by hammering out a more realistic compensation fee - possibly around the £750,000 mark - with an interested club.
He has spoken to Everton boss David Moyes, while Manchester City are known long-term admirers of Jones.
But Gradi admitted: "He could be going to Stoke, although he is good enough to play in the Premiership.
"We know there are other clubs watching him, including some from the Premiership."
Pulis today confirmed: "Yes, we were interested in the lad and we did make an inquiry, but there was no offer.
"The money Dario wanted was far in excess of what we think he is worth. Since then we have been looking elsewhere.
"The one thing I don't want to do at Stoke City is get involved in any kind of auction for players."
I think so after reading this ;d