Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio has cast doubt over a deal for Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones this summer due to a “big gap” in the clubs’ valuations.
Inter have made no secret of their interest in Jones, who is considering a move from Anfield this summer as he enters the final year of his contract.
But with bids worth £17.3 million and £21.7 million falling short, Ausilio admits it would be “very difficult” to strike an agreement.
That comes with Liverpool now valuing Jones at closer to £40 million amid interest from fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forest.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's Curtis Jones (R) celebrates with team-mate Cody Gakpo after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“I never denied our interest in this player, we had also tried for him in January,” Ausilio said at an event to mark the opening of the Serie A transfer window, per Football Italia.
“But I must also be equally honest here and say he’s a player with characteristics we’d like, but at this moment there is a big gap between our valuation and that of Liverpool.
“Seeing as he is a Liverpool player, they have every right to ask what they want, but we too have the right to say if we accept or not.
“At this moment, I can say it is a very difficult operation to see through to the end.”
What are Liverpool’s plans for Curtis Jones?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 17, 2026: Liverpool's Curtis Jones during the pre-match warm-up before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
As it stands, Jones is set to report back for the start of pre-season at the AXA Training Centre in a fortnight and will hold talks with Andoni Iraola over his future.
While the possibility of a move to Italy has clearly piqued his interest, there is a chance the 25-year-old would instead be tempted to stay at his boyhood club if there are plans for a key role under Iraola.
Overtures from Inter came as rumours bubbled over a fallout with former head coach Arne Slot – and a fresh start could be a huge benefit to Jones.
Liverpool are not understood to be in talks over a new contract with their No. 17 at this stage but a renewed deal has not been ruled out if he stays beyond the current transfer window.
Any movement is likely to be affected by the record £116 million transfer of Elliot Anderson from Forest to Man City, with the England international’s price tag skewing the market for midfielders in particular.
Jones could be viewed as a replacement for Anderson at the County Ground and Liverpool would no doubt see that as an opportunity to maximise his value in talks.