Who is Ricky-Jade Jones? Peterborough starlet sparks Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United transfer battle

Joe Krishnan4 June 2020

Peterborough United youngster Ricky-Jade Jones has sparked a potential transfer battle this summer with three Premier League clubs vying for his signature.

The club's director of football Barry Fry confirmed earlier this year that top-flight trio Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United had registered their interest in the 17-year-old.

A number of Championship clubs are also in the hunt, with Leeds United one of those mentioned by name.

Jones has burst onto the scene at the League One outfit after being fast-tracked from the club's academy and now has a decision to make over his future.

But how has the teenager's meteoric rise resulted in him being courted by three of the UK's biggest clubs?

Here's everything you need to know about the Peterborough starlet...

Career

A product of Peterborough's academy, Jones has walked the path of many young players hoping to play for their local club.

Jones scored in the FA Cup against Burnley  Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

In May 2019, the striker was selected to play the role of ballboy in their win over Burton Albion on the final day of last season. Just four months later, he made his debut aged 16 in the EFL Trophy tie against Arsenal Under-21s, before appearing against Burton for his first league start.

But clubs truly took notice of Jones when he came off the bench to net in the 4-2 FA Cup third round defeat against Burnley, going on to score four goals in 16 appearances this season.

Playing style

It came as no surprise that clubs are chasing Jones when it was revealed he had been clocked running 100 metres in a lightning quick time of 10.9 seconds

The League One club's academy manager, Kieran Scarff, described Jones as "the quickest player I've seen" and believes he has "enormous" potential to reach the top.

Blessed with tremendous pace and confidence, he has been likened to Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford given his tendency to run in behind defenders - a comparison Jones himself is happy with.

Jones has likened his style to Man Utd's Marcus Rashford  Photo: AP
AP

"I look at [Marcus] Rashford because he got his chance similarly to me, because there was an injury," he told BBC Sport. "Now seeing him play for England I think he's got a good mentality and I'd like to be like him."

Interest

While many young players would be easily swayed by the interest of any Premier League side, let alone three of England's biggest clubs, Jones has displayed a sense of maturity in his response to rumours about his future.

“As a 17-year old hearing that [links to Premier League] is really nice,” Jones told Sky Sports.

“But I'm in a good position right now and I'm enjoying football so it doesn't distract me. It just gives me more motivation to show everyone what I can do.

“For developing young players [Peterborough is] probably one of the best clubs in England. It's a very good club and you've seen many players come through Posh and go on to have a great career."

Still, these are uncertain times for EFL clubs due to the financial constraints that have emerged as a result of the coronavirus pademic. And if interested parties decides to submit an offer his club cannot refuse, Jones may choose to enhance his development at the highest level.

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