Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones is a “target” for fellow Premier League club Nottingham Forest this summer, according to reliable journalist Ben Jacobs.
The 25-year-old could potentially leave his boyhood club before next season gets underway, as he looks to be more of a key man away from Anfield.
While Inter Milan have been strongly linked with Jones of late, as have Arsenal, a move to Italy appears to have stalled, and remaining in England could now be on the cards instead.
That’s according to Jacobs on X, who talked up Forest’s interest in the Scouser, seeing him as a possible replacement for the Manchester City-bound Elliot Anderson:
“Curtis Jones is a target for Nottingham Forest. Liverpool aware of the Forest interest as Vitor Pereira’s side look to strengthen in the centre of the park following the £116m departure of Elliot Anderson. Inter recently saw a £21.5m approach instantly shut down.
“Liverpool value Jones in the region of £40m, and it is unclear whether Forest are prepared to go that high. Liverpool are content to keep hold of Jones if their asking price is not met. Jones is heading into the final year of his contract but should he remain beyond this summer, talks over a new contract are not ruled out.
“Forest also have Spurs’ Lucas Bergvall high in their thinking. The Swedish midfielder has asked the club to leave as he seeks a new challenge.”
Would Liverpool regret selling Curtis Jones?
Losing Jones at this midway point in his career would be a shame for Liverpool, even though he isn’t likely to ever reach world-class heights.
He is an excellent homegrown squad player who knows the club well, which is a rare commodity these days, and Arne Slot praised him during their time working together:
“He has an incredibly hard work rate and we trust him in defence. He is complete. For him now, it is all about consistency. The best players turn up every three days and that is what he has got to show.”
If the £40m-rated Jones wants to leave Liverpool, it will be hard to begrudge him a fresh challenge, but keeping him should be seen as the preferable option.