Liverpool midfielder transfer talks have been described as increasingly complex after an Inter Milan director admitted the club are still pursuing a deal but acknowledged there is a significant valuation gap between the two sides.
Inter Milan’s long-standing interest in Curtis Jones has been publicly acknowledged once again, but sporting director Piero Ausilio has admitted there remains a significant gap between the two clubs valuations, casting serious doubt over the prospects of a deal being completed this summer.
The Serie A giants have tracked the Liverpool midfielder for several months and have already seen two offers rejected. However, with Liverpool standing firm over their asking price and Premier League interest also intensifying, Jones future at Anfield remains one of the biggest transfer questions heading into pre-season.
A crucial meeting with new Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola is also expected before any final decision is taken.
Speaking at an event marking the opening of the Serie A transfer window, Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio openly discussed the club’s pursuit of Jones.
The Italian side’s admiration for the Liverpool academy graduate has never been hidden, having first explored a move during the January transfer window before returning with fresh interest this summer.
Despite that admiration, Ausilio acknowledged that Liverpool’s valuation currently makes any agreement extremely difficult per Football Italia.
“I never denied our interest in this player, we had also tried for him in January.
“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.”
Inter are understood to have submitted offers worth approximately £17.3 million and £21.7 million, both of which were rejected by Liverpool.
The Reds are believed to value Jones at closer to £40 million, reflecting both his Premier League experience and his homegrown status.
Nottingham Forest interest strengthens Liverpool’s position
Liverpool’s negotiating stance has also been strengthened by interest from within the Premier League.
Nottingham Forest remain admirers of Jones and are understood to view him as a potential replacement following Elliot Anderson’s record-breaking £116 million move to Manchester City.
That extraordinary transfer has inevitably influenced the market, particularly for established English midfielders, and Liverpool are believed to feel Jones’ valuation is entirely justified in the current climate.
Reports have suggested a bid in the region of £35 million could prove sufficient to begin meaningful negotiations.
However, according to the Liverpool Echo, Jones has no desire to join Nottingham Forest this summer.
Instead, if he leaves Anfield, his preference is understood to be a move to either Inter Milan, Arsenal or Aston Villa.
The 26-year-old featured 49 times under former head coach Arne Slot last season, demonstrating his versatility by operating in a number of different positions.
While naturally a central midfielder, he was frequently deployed at right-back during periods when injuries affected Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong.
Although he remained an important member of Liverpool’s squad, it is understood that Jones now believes this represents the right moment to seek a fresh challenge.
The 25-year-old is keen to establish himself as a guaranteed starter in central midfield rather than continuing to fill a variety of roles across the pitch.
There is a feeling that such assurances may not be available under new head coach Andoni Iraola, whose own midfield plans are expected to become clearer once pre-season begins.
For now, Jones remains a Liverpool player and is expected to report back to the AXA Training Centre when pre-season begins later this month.
Discussions with Andoni Iraola are expected to play a significant role in determining the midfielder’s next step.
Should the new head coach outline a prominent role in Liverpool’s midfield plans, there remains a possibility that Jones could yet decide his future is best served by staying at his boyhood club.
If those assurances are not forthcoming, interest from Inter Milan, Arsenal and Aston Villa is unlikely to disappear despite the current valuation gap.
With several weeks of the transfer window still remaining, Jones’ future appears destined to remain one of Liverpool’s most closely watched stories.