Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool close in on Blackburn's Phil Jones and Sunderland's Jordan Henderson
ShareLiverpool are closing in on a ?30million swoop for two of England's hottest prospects Blackburn defender Phil Jones and Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson.[LNB]The Anfield giants increased their initial offer of ?13m for Henderson, 20, to ?15m yesterday and are hopeful Sunderland will compromise on their asking price of ?18m.[LNB] Liverpool bound: Jordan Henderson and Phil Jones are two of England's brightest young talents[LNB]Liverpool are also ready to make a formal offer to Blackburn for ?15m-rated Jones, though they face a battle for him with Arsenal and Tottenham.[LNB]The moves are part of Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish's strategy of buying top English talent, having signed striker Andy Carroll in January for ?35m from Newcastle.[LNB]The club have also asked about the availability of midfielder Lee Cattermole at the Stadium of Light.[LNB] Recruitment drive: Liverpool's new manager Kenny Dalglish has purposefully targeted young English players since taking his seat back in the Anfield dugout [LNB]Henderson and Jones are in Spain withthe England Under 21 party preparing for this month's European Championship in Denmark. Stuart Pearce's squad fly home tonight before travelling to Southampton for Sunday's friendly against Norway, but Henderson is on stand-by to travel to Merseyside and complete the deal as soon as the two clubs agree a fee.[LNB]Liverpool's move for Jones will alertArsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who has made it known he wants to build hisback four around the 19-year-old. Wenger was prepared to wait a year while signing Jones's Blackburn team-mate Chris Samba now.[LNB] Top target: Much depends on the destination of Blackburn Rovers' Christopher Samba, with Arsenal keeping a close eye[LNB]That deal is advanced but Liverpool'smove may force Wenger to rethink his plans for Jones, who has impressedin the centre of defence and midfield since making his Premier League debut against Chelsea in March last year. He signed a five-year deal that May and extended it by 12 months in February.[LNB]Blackburn would prefer to keep their prize asset and sell Samba but accept that they will not be able to stand in Jones's way if the right offer comes in. [LNB] [LNB] Give youth a chance: Dalglish has allowed the likes of John Flanagan to flourish in the first team[LNB] [LNB]Dalglish has already signalled a change of direction at Anfield since succeeding Roy Hodgson by handing first-team opportunities to 17-year-old Jack Robinson, 18-year-old John Flanagan and 21-year-old Martin Kelly, and giving a new deal to Jay Spearing, 22.[LNB] Kop that! Liverpool lead ?13m chase for Sunderland midfielder HendersonHands off, Arsene! Blackburn warn Arsenal over move for starlet JonesSunderland wants Darron Gibson and Wes Brown in double swoop on Manchester UnitedAll the latest Sunderland news, features and opinionAll the latest Blackburn news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Andy Carroll, Lee Cattermole, Kenny Dalglish, Martin Kelly, Roy Hodgson, Stuart Pearce, Arsene Wenger Places: Newcastle, Liverpool, Spain, Norway, Denmark, United Kingdom
