Liverpool face a major summer of transition at Anfield, and the scrutiny surrounding the future of midfielder Curtis Jones has intensified.
The Reds have already lost both Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate on free transfers this summer, while according to reports Mohamed Salah appears increasingly likely to seal a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia or pastures new. With a squad overhaul firmly underway, senior figures could sanction further high-profile departures.
Alisson Becker and Alexis Mac Allister continue to attract interest from abroad, but it is the future of Jones that is currently commanding centre stage.
Serie A champions Inter Milan hold a long-standing interest in the England midfielder and want to wrap up a deal in the region of €20 million (£17.3 million) this summer.
While transfer expert Fabrizio Romano previously confirmed that Jones remains “keen on the move,” a significant disparity in club valuations continues to stall progress.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano outlined the state of play:
“Inter are very interested in Curtis Jones. Inter are talking to Liverpool. Inter are starting around €20m [£17.3m], Liverpool want more than €30m [£25.9m], maybe including a sell-on clause and bonuses, so there’s still a big gap between Inter and Liverpool, but the deal is on.
“[Jones] is keen on the move and Chiesa said Jones asked him how life is in Italy.”
However, reports from TEAMtalk suggest that Inter Milan have now issued a definitive ultimatum to the Anfield board. The Nerazzurri have warned Liverpool that they “will not meet their current asking price” and stand “prepared to walk away from negotiations if the Reds refuse to lower their demands.”
Arsenal waiting in the wings
Should Inter Milan pull the plug, Liverpool may find themselves dealing with a Premier League rival. Arsenal retain a strong interest in the Toxteth-born midfielder, with the Gunners now emerging as “one to watch” as the window progresses.
Jones has entered the final year of his current contract at Anfield, leaving Liverpool in a vulnerable negotiating position if they fail to cash in now or tie him down to an extension. Insiders close to the situation believe a late domestic bid could completely alter the landscape:
“I think Liverpool doesn’t want to sell him for anything less than their valuation, which is fair enough. And it seems that other clubs aren’t willing to put up the money that Liverpool wants at this stage. As far as Liverpool is concerned, that would mean the door is closed on Curtis leaving this summer.
“The only thing I wonder is that we haven’t really heard from Curtis himself. He seemed to be aiming for a move away this summer. So, if a club comes in and puts the money on the table, that could certainly change things.
“We know that Spurs have liked him in the past, though they went for Gallagher in January instead. I think there was always talk that Arsenal might have liked him. So, that could be one to watch. I do think it’s more likely that he will stay at this point based on what’s been said, but I don’t think the door is completely shut because he only has a year left on his contract.”
Liverpool hold all the cards regarding their valuation, but Inter’s stubborn stance and Arsenal’s looming presence mean the Curtis Jones saga is far from over.
