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A Liverpool star could be on the move this summer - and rumoured suitors Aston Villa might be his ideal landing spot.
While the discussion surrounding Liverpool’s summer transfer business is likely to centre largely on their efforts to replace Mohamed Salah and to revivify their defence, the future of one member of the current squad is also up in the air: Curtis Jones.
Arguably one of Liverpool’s most under-appreciated players over the past few seasons, Jones has found himself on the fringes under Arne Slot and is set to enter the final year of his current contract – and TalkSport have reported that he could be on his way out of Anfield, with Aston Villa one possible destination. But would he suit Unai Emery’s side, and how likely is it that a deal takes place?
Why Curtis Jones would be a natural fit for Aston Villa’s system
One of the issues Jones has faced in establishing a regular place in Arne Slot’s side is that the double pivot that the Dutchman prefers to use simply suits him less well than the staggered three-man midfield utilised by Jürgen Klopp did. For all his versatility, this is a player who is neither a true defensive midfielder nor a number 10, and therefore lacks a clear-cut home in Slot’s set-up.
A willing runner and an efficient presser but not a natural midfielder destroyer, and efficient passer but not a creator, Jones has been at his best in a water-carrier role linking up play in front of an anchorman but behind a more advanced playmaker. That, unfortunately for him, isn’t a role Slot typically employs.
As such, Jones has been sidelined for much of the season or even pressed into service as a makeshift right-back. Restricted to odd jobs and given little opportunity to string starts together, the 25-year-old hasn’t put together a run of form that has convinced Slot to find a way to fit him in.
A move to Aston Villa, however, could be just what Jones needs to get his career - which led him to the England squad before he found himself falling down the pecking order after Klopp’s departure – back on track. Emery’s system seems rather better suited to Jones’ talents.
Emery’s midfield set-up isn’t all that different to Klopp’s, even if the way that the number 10 and the wingers operate in front of the midfield base is very different. Fundamentally, Emery’s tactics see one midfielder employed as a true holding player, maintaining a deep position, and another used to bridge the gap between defence and midfield and to link up with the more forward-thinking players with quick, darting runs and shorter passes.
It’s a role that would suit Jones on paper, and there’s a vacancy. Douglas Luiz has yet to thoroughly convince anybody that he’s back to his best since signing on loan from Juventus, while Youri Tielemans has spent much of the season on and off the treatment table. Other players who have been crowbarred into the role haven’t made it their own.
Jones, in short, is the kind of technician and willing runner that Emery needs to keep his engine ticking over, and could be a more natural fit under the Spaniard than he is under Slot. A move makes plenty of sense for both parties – but will it actually happen this summer?
Could Curtis Jones leave Liverpool in the next transfer window?
As it stands, there are no indications that Jones is liable to agree a new contract at Anfield, nor is it clear that one has been offered. The Times have reported that Jones would prefer to remain with Liverpool if he could be a regular starter, but with no deal imminent it seems increasingly likely that he moves.
Inter Milan showed interest in Jones during the January transfer window but a move – which Jones supposedly did not push for – did not materialise despite reports that Inter were prepared to offer upwards of £30m on a loan-to-buy basis. If no new deal materialises, however, then Liverpool will very likely look to sell before he leaves on a free transfer.
Inter could reignite their interest when the transfer window opens in June, but there are no clear indications that that will be the case as it stands. Aston Villa could well have a relatively clear run at the midfielder if they want to enter the bidding.
It remains to be seen whether Jones is a priority target for Villa or whether he’s simply one of many names that they’re considering ahead of the summer. That makes assessing the likelihood of that specific deal difficult – but all signs currently point to Jones leaving the club he has spent his entire career with.
Aston Villa are a logical choice for his landing spot, and a team who can likely both offer Champions League football and meet his salary demands. It’s a transfer story which certainly ticks a lot of boxes.
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