Liverpool have dismissed Inter Milan’s latest offer for Curtis Jones, with the Italian champions falling short of the Reds’ reported £30m valuation for the homegrown midfielder.
Inter’s most recent proposal of approximately £27m represented a significant improvement on their previous bid of around £21.6m, but Liverpool still turned it down without hesitation.
The gap between the two clubs now stands at roughly £3m, a relatively small margin that suggests further negotiations between the parties remain likely in the coming weeks.
Jones is believed to be open to leaving Anfield after seeing his starting opportunities decrease during the previous campaign, adding a layer of complexity to Liverpool’s decision-making process.
Despite the player’s openness to a move, Liverpool’s new head coach Andoni Iraola reportedly wants to assess Jones during pre-season before approving any departure from the club.
This Is Anfield has reported that Iraola would like Jones to remain beyond the coming campaign, suggesting a new contract could still become possible if the midfielder earns an important role under the Spaniard.
That stance complicates matters considerably, as Inter Milan appear to believe Liverpool’s resolve will weaken the closer the transfer deadline gets.
The financial risk for Liverpool is very real, with Jones’ current contract expiring in 2027 and The Guardian previously reporting that extension talks had failed to produce an agreement.
Losing a Premier League-proven, homegrown player capable of covering several midfield positions on a free transfer next summer would represent poor business by any measure.
Liverpool must therefore move quickly to determine whether they genuinely plan to hand Jones a new contract or whether accepting an improved offer from Inter represents the smarter course of action.
Inter Milan will be encouraged by the fact that the gap between the two clubs’ valuations is now so narrow, and further bids before the window closes seem inevitable.
Jones himself grew through Liverpool’s academy system and has made a significant number of appearances for the first team, making him a valuable asset both on and off the pitch.
Iraola is stepping into his first season in charge at Anfield and will be keen to evaluate the full depth of his squad before sanctioning any further departures this summer.
Liverpool’s position remains firm for now, but the clock is ticking and the dynamic between the two clubs could shift quickly as the deadline draws near.
