Report: Liverpool midfielder exit delayed as another bid falls short | OneFootball

Curtis Jones to Inter Milan? Serie A Giants Eye Liverpool Midfielder

Italian football has developed a habit of finding value where Premier League clubs sometimes see squad players. It is a trend that has delivered rewards for several Serie A sides, and now Inter Milan appear keen to follow a path that has already worked brilliantly for Napoli.

According to reporting from Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter believe Curtis Jones could become their version of Scott McTominay, a player who left English football and discovered a new level of influence in Italy.

Photo: IMAGO

The comparison is an intriguing one. McTominay departed Manchester United carrying a reputation as a useful and reliable performer. In Naples, he became something much more productive.

McTominay Blueprint Catches Inter’s Eye

Since moving to Italy, McTominay has delivered remarkable numbers.

As Gazzetta dello Sport noted, the Scottish midfielder has registered 27 goals and 10 assists across two seasons, including 14 goals and four assists during the campaign just completed.

Photo IMAGO

That success has not gone unnoticed.

The report states: “Thus, the Nerazzurri management hopes to be able to replicate the experiment with Curtis Jones, who in Liverpool is experiencing a situation more or less similar to McTominay’s when he was still playing in England: valuable but not untouchable, not particularly happy in terms of morale, curious to try for the first time a completely different experience from the current one, which has remained the same since his youth academy days.”

It is easy to understand why Inter’s recruitment team would be interested. Jones possesses technical quality, intelligence in possession and tactical flexibility. Those traits are often highly valued in Serie A.

Liverpool Face Important Decision

The challenge for Inter remains financial.

Gazzetta reports there is still a sizeable gap between Liverpool’s valuation and Inter’s current offer. The difference is believed to be around £10 million, a figure that could ultimately determine whether negotiations progress.

Liverpool’s position is understandable. Jones remains a homegrown player, developed at the club’s academy and capable of contributing in several midfield roles.

His value extends beyond statistics. He understands the culture of the club and provides depth across a demanding season.

Yet football careers are rarely linear. Opportunities abroad can appeal to players seeking a different challenge, especially when regular starting opportunities are not guaranteed.

Italian Success Story Continues

Inter’s confidence comes from recent history.

The report references several players who have flourished after swapping England for Italy. Romelu Lukaku, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Chris Smalling and André Frank Zambo Anguissa all enjoyed productive spells in Serie A after Premier League experiences.

Italian clubs have increasingly targeted players who may be undervalued in England, and the results have often justified the strategy.

Whether Jones follows that route remains uncertain. Liverpool have little incentive to sell cheaply and new manager Andoni Iraola will be aware of the midfielder’s qualities.

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For now, this feels more like an interesting possibility than an imminent transfer. However, Inter’s admiration is clear and their belief in the McTominay model may ensure this story develops further as the window progresses.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Liverpool supporters, selling Curtis Jones would be a difficult decision to accept.

Jones represents something increasingly rare at elite clubs. He is a local player who genuinely understands what Liverpool means. Supporters have watched him progress from academy prospect to first team contributor, and there is still a feeling that his best years lie ahead.

The comparison with McTominay is understandable. Both players have often been judged more harshly because they came through major clubs and were expected to become stars immediately. Development is rarely that straightforward.

If Jones moved to Inter Milan, there is every chance he would thrive. Serie A could suit his technical style and measured approach to possession. That possibility alone should make Liverpool cautious.

Squad depth matters across a season competing on multiple fronts. Injuries, suspensions and fixture congestion regularly create opportunities. Jones has repeatedly shown he can step in and perform when called upon.

Unless Liverpool receive a truly exceptional offer, many supporters would prefer to see him remain at Anfield. Homegrown talent should not be discarded lightly, particularly when it still has room to grow. Jones may never become the headline act every week, but players of his quality and commitment are often more important than they initially appear.