Inter Milan has renewed their pursuit of Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, indicating a willingness to pay €35m (£30m) for the 25-year-old. The move comes as Jones enters the final year of his contract, following a series of rejected bids and reported friction within the Liverpool squad during their North American tour.
The tension at Anfield is becoming tangible. While Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has publicly voiced his desire to keep the homegrown midfielder, the Italian champions are playing a patient game of attrition. With Jones’ contract expiring in 2027, Inter is betting that the clock will eventually force the English side’s hand.
The Valuation Gap: Inter’s €35m Offer vs. Liverpool’s Demand
The financial tug-of-war between the two clubs has seen a steady climb in figures, yet a significant gap remains. Inter’s current willingness to go to €35m is a marked increase from their early summer efforts, but it still falls short of the Reds’ internal valuation.
According to reporting from The Athletic on June 22, Liverpool had previously rejected a bid worth around €25million (£21.7m; $28.7m) from Inter, with the English club seeking around €40m in any sale of the 25-year-old. Inter Milan had also made a verbal offer of 25m euros (£21.7m) last month which was rejected. Other reports describe the €25m (£21m) offer as one that Liverpool deemed “laughable.” Journalist Ben Jacobs notes that the Italian side has submitted a total of three proposals to the Reds: the initial 25 million, a second offer of 32 million, and the current third offer of 35 million euros.
Despite the improved offer, a wide economic divide persists. While Inter has indicated through intermediaries they would pay up to 35m euros (£29.9m), Liverpool values their homegrown player at closer to €40m. Ben Jacobs further highlights that Liverpool’s requests are higher than the offer, leaving a notable gap between the demand and the offer.
On-Pitch Friction and the Wrexham Clash
The transfer speculation has coincided with visible frustration from Jones. Following a 1-0 victory over Wrexham at Yankee Stadium in New York on Wednesday, Jones was involved in a heated on-pitch argument
with teammates as the squad walked across the pitch to applaud supporters. According to BBC Sport, the midfielder clashed with Dominik Szoboszlai and later Kostas Tsimikas.
The source of the exchange was linked to a flashpoint involving the captain’s armband. When Dominik Szoboszlai was substituted, he handed the armband to Kostas Tsimikas instead of Jones. During the subsequent row, Tsimikas was filmed throwing the armband to the ground. While Jones may have attempted to settle speculation with a selfie earlier in the week, the spat with Szoboszlai has sparked concern at Liverpool.
Contract Status and Future Outlook
The urgency for Inter Milan is driven by Jones’ contractual situation. Multiple sources confirm that Jones has only one year remaining on his contract at Anfield. While one source notes his contract runs until 2027, senior figures at the club insist he has just one year left on his current deal. Because of this, Inter intermediaries have made fresh contact this week to outline their €35m offer.
Jones’ struggle for consistency has also fueled the move. He has been unable to establish himself as a regular starter at Liverpool and appeared as a frustrated figure last season under Arne Slot. This frustration, combined with his contract status, has led some to suggest that all signs are pointing toward an Anfield departure.
Further fueling fan enthusiasm in Milan, Jones reportedly “liked” a social media post in which Inter presented John Stones. Stones joined the Italian club on a free transfer after leaving Manchester City. While this social media interaction does not confirm a deal, it occurs as Inter continues to target Premier League talent to reinforce their midfield.
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