Curtis Jones remains an option for Inter Milan this summer, with the Liverpool midfielder long having been the subject of strong interest from the Serie A giant
Curtis Jones during a Liverpool training session.
Curtis Jones during a Liverpool training session.(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Curtis Jones has returned to Liverpool training following the minor injury that kept him out of the Reds' defeat to AS Monaco last weekend, but speculation about his future persists.
Inter Milan remains keen on Jones, 25, who is only under contract at Liverpool until next summer as things stand. New head coach Andoni Iraola wants to keep him, but the player is keen to have a bigger role.
Already this summer, Inter has made a couple of bids for Jones. In January, it wanted to sign him, but was told in no uncertain terms that Liverpool was in no position to lose players.
If Jones was to leave now, it would seem logical that a replacement would need to come in. Trey Nyoni, the 19-year-old talent who has impressed in pre-season, could also step up.
While nothing has been agreed for Jones to leave yet, Inter could come back with another improved offer. And one domino might have fallen in allowing that to happen.
Midfielder Davide Frattesi is heading to Lazio, while there is interest in Kristjan Asllani. It is suggested in Italy that should those two depart, that could free up funds and a spot on the roster.
Curtis Jones of Liverpool
Curtis Jones is a target for Inter Milan(Image: Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
"I will have the chance to speak with him today," Iraola told a press conference last month.
"I rate Curtis very highly. For me he is a great, great player so I hope he can continue with us.
"I hope he can continue with us, continue performing the way he has been performing. And it’s very important he’s Scouse, that he’s also from here.
"I also like the personality. From the outside at least, he looks like a player with good character so I hope we can keep him, and not only this year."
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As things stand, Jones will leave Liverpool as a free agent next summer. Keeping him, though, even if he doesn't pen a new deal, would have benefits.
Given that the price tag for him is around $47 million (£35 million), that wouldn't really be enough to sign a player of equal level, who in any case would be coming in knowing that they were fourth in the pecking order.
Liverpool.com says: Jones is a very good player but he clearly wants more than his current role. Leaving would be a shame, but it is understandable, and he would be a success in Serie A, for sure.