Inter Milan appear to be nearing an agreement with Liverpool over a transfer for midfielder Curtis Jones, with a fee in the region of €35m (£30m) reportedly emerging as the figure that could satisfy both parties.
The Serie A champions have long held an interest in the 25-year-old, having first explored a move in January when they proposed a loan with an option to buy — an approach Liverpool turned down. Inter returned this summer with a more concrete offer, tabling around €25m (£21.4m) in June, but that bid was rejected by the Reds, who were said to be holding out for a valuation closer to £35m, or around €40m.
With negotiations having resumed, talks are now understood to be progressing toward a compromise figure of roughly £30m — matching the fee Inter paid Tottenham Hotspur for full-back Djed Spence. While reports from Italy suggest a verbal understanding between the two clubs may already be in place, both Liverpool and Inter have indicated that further discussions are still required before any formal agreement is finalized.
Liverpool's willingness to negotiate stems partly from Jones's contract situation. The academy graduate, who joined the club at just nine years old, has only one year remaining on his current deal. Should Liverpool fail to sell him this summer, they risk losing their homegrown midfielder for nothing when his contract expires next year.
Jones has been a regular fixture for Liverpool since making his debut under Jurgen Klopp back in 2019, amassing 228 appearances for the club. However, his role has diminished in recent times. Last season he featured 49 times across all competitions but started just 18 Premier League matches, often being deployed out of position — including a stint at right-back — rather than in his favored central midfield role.
The emergence of competition for places appears to have played a part in Jones's willingness to consider a fresh start elsewhere. Reports suggest he is keen to pursue a new challenge after struggling to nail down a consistent starting spot in Liverpool's midfield.
Should the move to San Siro go through, Jones would become the third English player to join Inter this summer, following in the footsteps of John Stones and Djed Spence, both of whom have already made switches to the Italian giants. That growing English contingent underlines Inter's evident strategy of targeting Premier League talent as they look to strengthen their squad following another successful campaign domestically.
For Liverpool, sanctioning Jones's departure would free up space in a crowded midfield department and generate funds that could be reinvested elsewhere, while also avoiding the prospect of losing a player of his caliber for nothing at the end of next season.
As it stands, no formal transfer has been completed, and both clubs continue to iron out the finer details. But with Liverpool open to a sale and Inter determined to secure their man, a deal in the region of £30m looks increasingly likely to be struck in the coming weeks, potentially bringing an end to Jones's long association with Anfield that began in Liverpool's youth academy more than a decade ago.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport and The Independent.