Liverpool have been urged not to be hasty in selling Curtis Jones this summer by former striker Emile Heskey
Curtis Jones of Liverpool
Curtis Jones of Liverpool(Image: Jack Thomas/Getty Images)
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Liverpool have been told they should resist cashing in on Curtis Jones this summer despite the danger of losing the midfielder for nothing at the end of the season.
Jones is in the last 12 months of his current contract, and with no sign of a new deal being agreed is on course to depart on a free transfer next year.
Liverpool are therefore open to selling the 25-year-old in the current transfer window with Inter Milan having already had a bid of around £20million dismissed for a player the Reds value in excess of £30m.
Nottingham Forest and Turkish side Galatasaray have also been linked with the England international, who made 49 appearances for Liverpool last season.
But former Reds striker Emile Heskey has urged his old club not to be hasty in allowing Jones to depart while calling for more reinforcements at centre-back.
"I would keep Curtis Jones as he gives you backup and options," he said. "It depends on whether he wants to continue as a secondary player, but he has the quality to break into the team. If he has international ambitions, he needs to be playing regularly.
"He won the U21 Euros and was one of the best players there. He's watched others springboard into the full team, but he needs regular football to do the same.
"Regarding centre-backs, with Ibrahima Konate leaving, the club must strengthen that area.
"There has been talk about Virgil van Dijk leaving. That would surprise me considering he's been the leader and the one who helps everyone else. It would be a big shock if he were the one to go."
Liverpool have made just one signing this transfer window so far with £34.5m Spain international winger Victor Munoz on his way from Osasuna, although centre-back Jeremy Jacquet has arrived at the club after a £60m deal with Rennes was agreed in January.
The Reds want to sign another winger given the departure of Mohamed Salah, and Heskey is encouraged by the interest in Paris Saint-Germain's France international Bradley Barcola.
And speaking to BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest World Cup odds, Heskey said: "Signing Bradley Barcola would be an amazing coup for Liverpool because he provides the pace and directness we've been missing on the left wing.
"We've been spoiled with Sadio Mane and Luis Díaz, and now we need Barcola to get the fans off their seats again.
"Liverpool looked to have missed out on Yan Diomande to PSG, but that could open the door to Barcola leaving, it would be a statement signing for Andoni Iraola, that’s for sure."