Peterborough United striker Ricky-Jade Jones is attracting growing interest from Championship clubs, with Norwich City reportedly among the clubs keen on securing his services.
Jones, a rising talent at Peterborough, had a move to Sheffield United agreed upon in the summer, but uncertainty surrounding the takeover at Bramall Lane prevented the deal from going through. Despite his contract expiring at the end of the season, Peterborough’s owner, Darragh MacAnthony, mentioned in November that Jones’ value had increased since the summer, but this has not deterred potential suitors.
Earlier this month, FLW revealed Cardiff City’s interest in Jones, but their bid for the 22-year-old was rejected by Peterborough, and now they face competition from several other Championship clubs. According to Express Sport, Jones has once again attracted the attention of Sheffield United, and Middlesbrough may intensify their pursuit if Emmanuel Latte Lath leaves after a £16 million offer from MLS side Atlanta United.
Journalist Darren Witcoop reports that Norwich have also shown interest in Jones, and foreign clubs are believed to be monitoring the striker’s situation.
Jones has been at Peterborough since the age of seven. Though initially limited by the form of Jonson Clarke-Harris, he has stepped into the main striker role this season. Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson has praised Jones’ speed, calling him “the quickest player I’ve ever managed.” His performances this season reflect that praise, with Jones having scored 11 goals and assisted 3 in 31 appearances despite playing for a team that has struggled near the bottom of League One.
Jones’ form has clearly attracted Championship attention, and with Norwich City in need of a striker to challenge Josh Sargent, he could be an ideal addition. Sargent has been out for two months due to a groin injury, exposing Norwich’s lack of depth up front. With Sargent linked to a summer move, Jones could potentially replace him in the long run.
To win the race for Jones, Norwich could consider offering a loan deal to keep him at Peterborough for the remainder of the season. Given that Norwich’s current system only utilizes one striker, Jones may not immediately start ahead of Sargent but could join in the summer.
Peterborough’s current position near the relegation zone and their reluctance to part with key players, including Jones, make this a challenging negotiation. Jones, though still only 22, is one of the more experienced players in a young squad, and Peterborough manager Ferguson would likely want to retain him until the summer to help avoid relegation. Therefore, Norwich should consider including a loan option in their offer to secure Jones’ signature.
