Tottenham appear to have made their stance on signing Curtis Jones clear after tabling a major opening bid for Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali this week.
Jones was considered a target for Tottenham heading into the summer transfer window, along with confirmed interest from Inter Milan.
But the London club, who are preparing an ambitious project after Roberto de Zerbi kept them up, look to be focusing on other midfielders instead.
That could give Inter a clear run at signing Jones – who is known to have researched a move to Italy – or increase the likelihood that he stays at Liverpool instead.
Sky Sports‘ Keith Downie is among those to report that Newcastle have turned down Tottenham‘s first bid of £80 million for Tonali.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, January 7, 2025: Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali during the Football League Cup Semi-Final 1st Leg match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United FC at the Emirates Stadium. Newcastle won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Tonali is believed to be open to leaving St James’ Park this summer and The Athletic‘s David Ornstein reports that he is valued at closer to £100 million.
The Italian is not the only midfielder on Tottenham‘s radar either, with West Ham‘s Manuel Fernandes wanted alongside Tonali, rather than as an alternative.
With Conor Gallagher already making the switch from Atletico Madrid in January, and this week taking the No. 8 shirt, it seems as though there are no further plans to pursue Jones.
Where that leaves the Scouser remains to be seen, but Inter are expected to follow up their initial €20 million (£17.3m) bid with an improved offer.
Why Forest and Man City could hold key to Curtis Jones transfer
Elliot Anderson, Nottingham Forest at the City Ground (Martin Rickett/PA)
La Gazzetta dello Sport claim that the situation could hinge on moves involving Nottingham Forest and Man City.
Man City – who are also interested in Tonali – maintain their efforts to sign Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson despite already seeing two bids rejected.
But if a price tag of £130 million is met it is claimed a deal can go through, which would then pave the way for Davide Frattesi to swap the San Siro for the County Ground – and then for Inter to finalise a deal for Jones.
Of course, the appointment of Andoni Iraola could change the landscape for Jones, who is set to hold talks with the new head coach before any decision is made.
The 25-year-old enters the final year of his contract next month and Liverpool are unlikely to allow him to head into the new campaign without a sale or a further commitment over his future.