Image Credits: Imago Images
Curtis Jones finds himself at a crossroads at Liverpool. The 25-year-old academy graduate has been a loyal servant to the club since breaking into the first team, but game time has become an issue for him.
With 18 Premier League starts this season (where many of them were at right-back) and his contract entering its final year, Jones is understood to be assessing his options.
UK ONLY
It’s believed that the midfielder wants to be a central figure at his club rather than a rotation option, and Liverpool have so far been unable to provide those guarantees.
That uncertainty has opened the door for Serie A champions Inter Milan to make their move. According to Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, the Nerazzurri have already held talks with Liverpool over a potential deal for Jones and have tabled a bid worth €20 million for the Englishman.
However, the two clubs remain some distance apart in their valuations. Liverpool is holding firm on a €30 million asking price, plus a percentage of any future resale, leaving a €10 million gap between the offer and the demand.
It was also reported earlier this week that Richard Hughes met with the sporting director of Inter, Piero Ausilio, to discuss the deal in Monte Carlo. While the meeting did not broker an agreement, it’s believed that both clubs are working together positively to reach a conclusion – and that talks will continue.
With the summer transfer window approaching and Jones’ future still unresolved, Liverpool will need to decide whether they are willing to compromise on their valuation or risk losing a homegrown talent for less or even nothing further down the line.
It’s also important to note that the Anfield club will need to balance their homegrown quota, especially after letting go of the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jarell Quansah last summer.
Inter, meanwhile, appear patient but determined to land their man having already shown concrete interest in the winter window.