Derby County agree fee for Michael Jacobs

The long running Michael Jacobs transfer saga looks to be coming to a conclusion as Northampton Town and Derby County have come to an agreement on the transfer fee. The fee will officially be dressed up as 'undisclosed' by both clubs, however numerous sources point to the fee being just over the £400k mark with a 20 percent sell on clause in the Cobblers favour.
On the face of it Northampton fans might be a little upset that they haven't sold Jacobs for a record transfer fee (currently £525k for Mark Bunn) but taking the claret tinted spectacles off for a moment it represents a decent deal for both clubs. Northampton get a large cash sum up front which will enable them to improve their squad instantaneously, which is imperative after the last couple of seasons in the doldrums. For their cash outlay Derby County get a 20 year old footballer with the world at his feet, is he the finished article? No. Does he have the potential to play at the highest level? Yes. If he can be coached and looked after the right way then there can be no question that Michael Jacobs could ply his trade in the Premier League and even break onto the international scene, which is not as wild a fantasy as some may think with England having already scouted the player.
Michael Jacobs has been a fantastic player for Cobblers, rising through the youth ranks at the club he truly is one of our own. Often Crackers has divided support with some sections of the fanbase questioning why he wasn't taking on 7 players every time he got the ball and scoring hat tricks left, right and centre. Rightly or wrongly I think these supporters failed to take a balanced view on the situation, Crackers only played in very poor Northampton sides and alongside, largely, very poor footballers. Throughout his time in the first team he shone through with his flair and work ethic, two commodities that rarely go together and has been an absolute pleasure to watch in the claret shirt.
Who can forget the goal he scored in front of the Kop v Liverpool on that memeroable cup night or those two world class strikes against Shrewsbury at Sixfields, Jacobs has provided the Town faithful with numerous memories and I for one wish him all the best at his new club Derby County. There are still a few flaws in his game, such as decision making and set piece delivery but with the correct coaching and advice there is little question that these areas will be ironed out at Derby County. It is absolutely the correct move for Crackers and epitomises the level headed character he is, there were other options for Jacobs and he could have earned more money elsewhere but the lad wants to play football and be treated well, hence his decision to join The Rams.
Good luck Michael, all Cobblers fans will watch your career with interest.

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