Liverpool star Curtis Jones is set to leave the club this summer, after a verbal agreement was reached on the midfielder's exit, which could give opportunities to others in the team.
Curtis Jones of Liverpool during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC
Curtis Jones' exit will give one Liverpool ace a chance to impress this season(Image: (Photo by Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
The summer transfer saga surrounding Curtis Jones finally looks as though it is reaching a conclusion, as the midfielder closes in on a move to Inter Milan.
The 25-year-old had seemed destined for the switch to the San Siro, with the Nerazzurri pushing hard for his signature, alongside the fact that he only has 12 months left on his contract at Anfield.
After several initial offers were seemingly turned down by Liverpool, the recent verbal agreement looks set to bring the transfer talks to an end, allowing all parties to move on in their new directions.
It marks a somewhat sombre ending for Jones, who had dreamt of replicating club legends like Steven Gerrard in the past, but he will now focus on progressing his career elsewhere.
On top of winning some important trophies, the midfield ace offered important quality in depth for the team, filling in where required without any issue.
Even though he wasn't a vital part of the team, that remains an important role in any successful side, and it's one that Andoni Iraola will now need to replace.
While some fans believe that should be addressed in the transfer market, it seems as though the manager will be looking at internal options to promote someone who could bring an extra layer of quality.
The main candidate to do that is Trey Nyoni, as The Times reports that the youngster is in line for more opportunities in the senior team following Jones' impending exit.
The 19-year-old is claimed to be a prospect that Iraola is hoping to develop, with the manager having a track record of improving young players.
Trey Nyoni of Liverpool during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Monaco at Anfield in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jorge Horsted/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Trey Nyoni has impressed during pre-season for Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
It marks a huge show of faith for Nyoni, who was handed first-team minutes last campaign on rare occasions, but the new role would see him handed more responsibility.
That comes directly after he impressed in preseason for Iraola, showing calm and poise when it mattered most in a system that is often defined by chaos.
There is clear hope that the academy ace can progress and become a regular in the team, but the initial move from youth football can take some time to adjust to.
With stars such as Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, and Alexis Mac Allister battling for places ahead of him, there is some strength in depth that he will need to compete with moving forward.
However, Nyoni will be keen to cement himself as another reliable option for Iraola, with Liverpool's new season just around the corner.