Inter Milan are keen on signing Liverpool‘s Curtis Jones this summer, after failing to secure his services in January.
Last week, Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio confirmed their interest in the 25-year-old. The official has also explained why his side didn’t make progress yet.
He said: “However, right now there’s a significant gap between our assessments and Liverpool’s.”
“Since he’s a Liverpool player, they have every right to ask for what they legitimately want, but we have every right to decide whether we’re happy with that or not, so right now I’d say it’s a very difficult move.”
Liverpool standing firm
On July 1st, Sport Witness relayed news of Nottingham Forest entering the race to sign him.
However, the midfielder has repeatedly expressed his desire to make a switch to Italy.
That’s according to Tuesday’s edition of Corriere dello Sport, who report Inter Milan boss Cristian Chivu considers Curtis Jones an ideal midfield target.
The Italian champions have already submitted a €25m proposal. However, this ‘hasn’t made a dent’ in the Reds’ residence, who are standing firm with their £35m [€41m] demand.
There’s now a stalemate between the two clubs because of the difference in valuation.
Why Inter didn’t match Liverpool’s request
The newspaper claims the Nerazzurri have a €50m budget and rest of their funds have to be raised through player sales.
Yanis Massolin, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Kristjan Asllani have returned from their loan spells while Inter Milan exercised the buyback option to bring Aleksandar Stanković back to the club.
Stanković is likely to stay while the other three are waiting to resolve their futures.
The trio could join Davide Frattesi and leave the San Siro this summer.
New formula floated to sign Liverpool man
Curtis Jones contract expires in 2027, and Inter Milan are now considering waiting to get him as a free agent.
Corriere claims the Italian club will only consider this after exhausting all scenarios this summer. Jones also has to agree to continue at Anfield next season.
The arguments mentioned indicate this may be a genuine option for Inter Milan. It could also be a threat to Andoni Iraola’s side to lower their price or risk losing the player for nothing.