Preston's Billy Offer Rejected

With Billy being under 24 Crewe are entitled to compensation for the 20 year old academy graduate. Whilst Billy is now a Preston player, and nothing can stop the transfer going ahead, a fee will need to be agreed - but with both clubs having different views on his value it could head for a tribunal.

It is thought Preston have offered £400,000 as compensation, some way off Dario Gradi's reported valuation of £1million. The club have officially rejected the first offer today with Dario standing firm on Jones' potential.

He told the official site: 'As a board we have turned down Preston's offer. We have all agreed to come up with a new proposal and see if the two clubs can agree on that.

'Whatever we decide as a proposal I will support. I'm happy to go along with the vote but they know I think Billy is an outstanding player and I believe he is capable of playing in the Premiership.'

Jones has played over 150 games for Crewe, having made his debut at 16, and at 20 years old he has already captained the England youth sides right up to the U-20's. A tribunal would take this into account when deciding any fee, hopefully boosting it up. Any tribunal fee would be final, neither team would be able to back out of it.

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