Liverpool have entered negotiations with Inter Milan over a potential transfer for midfielder Curtis Jones, with the Serie A champions reportedly ready to offer around £30m for the 25-year-old.
Inter's interest in Jones dates back to January, and the Italian club made a failed bid of €25m for the player in June. That offer fell well short of Liverpool's valuation, which was set closer to €40m for the England international. However, with Jones entering the final year of his contract at Anfield and no extension agreement in sight, that asking price now looks increasingly unrealistic.
According to reports, representatives acting on behalf of Inter reached out to Liverpool in July, presenting a new proposal worth up to €35m, roughly £30m. Formal talks between the two clubs began on Wednesday, though no deal has yet been finalized. Should Inter raise their offer to the €35m mark, it is understood that Liverpool would be willing to let their academy graduate depart.
The figure being discussed mirrors a similar deal Inter struck last week, when they agreed to pay Tottenham Hotspur €35m for defender Djed Spence. That transaction is being viewed as a reference point for how the Jones negotiations might conclude.
Jones has spent his entire footballing life at Liverpool, joining the club's academy at the age of nine and rising through the ranks to become a first-team player. Born in Toxteth, he has earned six caps for England, but has struggled to nail down a consistent starting spot at Anfield, particularly during a difficult period under former head coach Arne Slot last season, where he often appeared visibly frustrated with his lack of playing time.
The club's new head coach, Andoni Iraola, who has taken over from Slot, addressed the situation surrounding Jones during his introductory press conference. Iraola emphasized the significance of retaining homegrown talent and stressed the value of maintaining a strong local identity within his squad, suggesting he sees Jones as an important figure in that vision.
Despite the coach's stated desire to keep the midfielder, Liverpool's hierarchy must weigh several factors in deciding whether to sanction a sale. Inter's persistent and determined approach to signing Jones, combined with the looming risk of losing him for nothing when his contract expires next summer, are significant considerations that could push the club toward accepting a fee now rather than risk losing him on a free transfer in twelve months' time.
The coming days are expected to be pivotal in determining Jones' future, as both clubs continue discussions in pursuit of an agreement. If a fee closer to the Spence benchmark can be reached, it appears increasingly likely that Jones will make the move to Italy, bringing an end to a career at Liverpool that began when he was just a boy and saw him progress through the youth system to establish himself, albeit sporadically, as a first-team option under multiple managers.
For now, all eyes remain on whether Inter will be prepared to meet Liverpool's revised expectations, with the £30m mark seen as the likely tipping point for a transfer to be completed before the market moves forward.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.