Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has long been wanted by Inter Milan, with reports suggesting that a deal has been agreed for the academy graduate to move to Serie A
Curtis Jones in action for Liverpool during pre-season.
Curtis Jones in action for Liverpool during pre-season.(Image: Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, 25, is reportedly close to sealing a transfer move to Inter Milan.
According to Fabrizio Romano, a "verbal agreement" has now been reached between the two clubs at a price point of around $41 million (£30 million), with the Scouser seemingly set to depart the club that he supported as a child.
Jones has been at Anfield since the age of nine and has won six major trophies (two Premier League titles, two Carabao Cups, one Emirates FA Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup). His current contract with Liverpool only runs until the end of the coming season.
When Inter made a move for Jones in the winter transfer window, Liverpool shut down any possibility of an exit late on. At that point, it was determined that the Reds needed him for the remainder of the campaign.
But the Italian giant has retained interest, with speculation ongoing about a possible deal. Jones would become the third English player at the club after John Stones and Djed Spence.
Jones has missed each of the last two Liverpool friendlies. The city center-born attacking midfielder has played 228 times for his boyhood club to date.
Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre
Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre(Image: Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
It has long been thought that he was open to a transfer move to Inter. At Liverpool, he has never been the first name on the teamsheet in midfield.
Under Cristian Chivu, however, Jones could make himself a mainstay in one of the most prestigious clubs around Europe, while experiencing something new.
Last year, Liverpool lost another academy graduate, Trent Alexander-Arnold, to Real Madrid. Jones' exit, should it be confirmed, would see another local player being lost.
Young duo Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni are likely to have a bigger role in the next few months, though both players have been brought in from elsewhere (Leicester City and Chelsea respectively).
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Nyoni could benefit from Jones moving on. The stand-out star of Liverpool's pre-season to date, the 19-year-old could take on some of the minutes that the midfielder six years his senior vacates.
Andoni Iraola said at the start of the summer that he wanted to keep Jones, but the noise around the player has never gone away.
"I rate Curtis very highly," the Spaniard said. "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."