Liverpool have made a decision on signing £80m-rated Adam Wharton as Curtis Jones conducts his medical with Inter Milan ahead of a £30m move to Serie A.
The Reds will make a £30m profit on Jones, as he is an Academy profit after the player decided to forgo contract renewal talks in favour of playing as a guaranteed starter for Inter.
Reporting for TEAMtalk, journalist Graeme Bailey says that Jones has arrived in Italy for his medical at Inter Milan, but that Liverpool do not plan to sign a direct replacement despite interest in Adam Wharton.
Bailey writes: “Long-serving Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has arrived in Italy to undergo his Inter Milan medical and finalise his move to the San Siro on Friday, TEAMtalk can confirm.
“Sources confirmed earlier this week that Inter had finally made a breakthrough in their pursuit of the six-cap England midfielder after increasing their offer to £30million (€35m, $41m).
“The 25-year-old Liverpudlian has now decided to leave his boyhood club and begin a new career in Italy with Inter Milan rather than remain at Anfield under new head coach Andoni Iraola.
“Liverpool had been prepared to open talks over a new contract with Jones in the coming months, with his current deal due to expire next summer.
“Liverpool, meanwhile, have already decided that they will not bring in a direct replacement for Jones.
“Liverpool had been linked with a move for Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton – now valued in the £80m bracket – but are unlikely to pursue that transfer and instead intend to offer more opportunities to 19-year-old talent Trey Nyoni.”
Liverpool are taking an unnecessary risk by not replacing Curtis Jones
? Curtis Jones set to undergo his Inter Milan medical right now. ????
[@DiMarzio] #Transfers pic.twitter.com/eMrpCh6m5A
— Anfield Sector (@AnfieldSector) August 21, 2026
It’s one thing to sell Jones, which I think Liverpool fans generally agree is an acceptable move, but not replacing him remains baffling. Ever since David Lynch first reported that there are no current plans to replace the Scouser, I have struggled to understand why.
I can understand not signing Adam Wharton for between £80m and £100m, especially if the club believes they could get him next summer for cheaper, but letting Jones go without signing a replacement is madness.
Trey Nyoni is expected to play a bigger role for Liverpool this season, but it’s unrealistic to expect him to play over 2,000 minutes regardless of how good he is.