VENKY’S are fighting Manchester United over Phil Jones’ transfer – as they defiantly bid to force the champions to stump up at least an extra £4million for the defender’s signature.

The 19-year-old’s future is in limbo as Blackburn Rovers’ owners dig their heels in over the valuation of their prized asset, despite a £16.5m release clause being put into the contract he signed in February.

As Jones started England under 21s’ European Championship opener against Spain in Denmark yesterday, his transfer was left in doubt.

In a remarkable case, Venky’s are prepared to challenge the legality of the ‘release clause’ after questioning how Manchester United were made aware of the exact details of the contract.

The club’s Indian owners are ready to launch a formal complaint of ‘tapping up’ against United to the Premier League, and argue the small print in the deal meant they were not forced to sell for £16.5m.

Liverpool further muddied the waters on Saturday with a £22m bid for Rovers’ home-grown product to step up the growing pressure on United, although Jones has told his club he wants to move to Old Trafford.

Jones is still expected to move to United with sources from Old Trafford insisting yesterday Rovers would today have to accept their original offer.

United are understood to be growing increasingly frustrated with Rovers’ defiant stance after claiming they have triggered his release clause, and that the deal was initially sanctioned to release Jones for a medical.

If no deal can be agreed between the two clubs, the Premier League will be forced to step in with both Rovers and United adamant they are in the right.

In a similar row in 2000, Middlesbrough complained about Liverpool’s £5.5million signing of German international Christian Ziege.

The player had a release clause in his contract, which Liverpool matched exactly, leaving Middlesbrough furious at a ‘leak’ that had released the information.

Like Rovers now, Middlesbrough had bigger offers for the player but were forced to sell at the £5.5m sum.

The North East side reported Liverpool for an illegal approach and, 14 months later, the club and player were fined.

As revealed in the Lancashire Telegraph on Thursday, Venky’s were desperate to retain the services of Jones and offered to make him the club’s most highly paid player in a bid to keep him.

In-demand Jones rejected their moves and, despite offers from Arsenal and Liverpool, had his heart set on Manchester United after a meeting with manager Alex Ferguson.

United were convinced they had landed the player for £16.5m, the release clause figure, with the player agreeing personal terms and passing his medical on Wednesday.

Venky’s were then quick to step in, with chairman Anuradha Desai insisting the player was worth more, and have battled bullishly to get nearer their valuation for the player.

While any fee for Jones is likely to be undisclosed, once the deal is finalised, Venky’s are understood to be prepared to take the case all the way to the Premier League should United refuse to pay out more money.

The higher figure would also be expected to include a number of add-ons to boost the sum in the future as Venky’s fight tooth and nail to stop the champions getting the player ‘on the cheap’.

After talks between solicitors and increasing pressure from alerted rivals, Rovers hope United will be ready to concede defeat to Venky’s’ demands to conclude the player’s switch.

Venky’s success in driving the price up would leave the rest of football looking again at the wording of release clauses in their deals and could mark a significant moment for smaller clubs.