Report: Liverpool tell European giants to pay £35m for midfielder | OneFootball

Curtis Jones transfer latest as Inter Milan test Liverpool’s resolve

Inter Milan are pressing on in their pursuit of Curtis Jones, with Liverpool currently holding a firm line on valuation despite fresh encouragement from Italy. According to Daily Mail, Inter have indicated a willingness to pay £30m for the Liverpool midfielder, yet Anfield’s stance remains clear, the 25-year-old is “valued at a minimum £35m”.

That gap matters. Liverpool have already “dismissed Inter’s last offer of £21.75m”, which underlines a straightforward reality in this negotiation. The Serie A side may admire the player, but admiration alone will not move the deal. Liverpool appear prepared to listen, especially with Jones entering the final year of his contract, though they are not showing any sign of letting him go below their internal figure.

Inter Milan maintain Curtis Jones interest

The interest is longstanding and has been acknowledged publicly. Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio said earlier this summer: “Curtis Jones – we are paying attention to him. We didn’t hide. We understand what the developments will be.” Those comments reflected genuine interest, and the latest indications suggest the situation remains active.

Photo: IMAGO

From Liverpool’s side, this is part of a wider summer of reshaping. The club are “in talks over a deal for Bradley Barcola with Paris Saint-Germain” while also “assessing other positions”. At the same time, there have been “enquiries for some of their fringe players” after a number of younger squad members impressed on the club’s USA tour.

Liverpool squad planning under Andoni Iraola

This is an important backdrop to any Jones decision. Liverpool are preparing for a new era under Andoni Iraola, with competition in midfield expected to remain intense. Jones has often been seen as a valuable squad option in recent seasons, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz all featuring prominently in the central areas.

That context inevitably shapes market value. Homegrown, experienced, tactically flexible and still in his prime years, Jones is the type of player Liverpool will not part with cheaply. If Inter want progress, the sense is they will need to edge closer to Liverpool’s demand.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have also received interest in Luke Chambers, Lewis Koumas, Calum Scanlon and Ifeanyi Ndukwe, a sign that squad management extends beyond the senior core as the new campaign approaches.

Our View

From a Liverpool perspective, this report leaves mixed feelings. Curtis Jones has never been the loudest name in the squad, but he represents something supporters always value, a local player who understands the club and can be trusted in high-pressure moments. If Inter think £30m is enough, many fans will feel Liverpool are right to hold out for more.

There is also a football argument here, not just an emotional one. Depth wins seasons, especially with Champions League football and a new head coach trying to establish authority quickly. Jones may not always start the biggest matches, but every serious squad needs players who can step in without the level dropping too far. He has done that plenty of times.

If the player wants a bigger role, that is understandable. Careers are short, and regular football matters. But if Liverpool are going to sell, it has to be on terms that properly reflect his quality, his homegrown status and the difficulty of replacing him. £35m feels more realistic than £30m, and even then some fans may still be uneasy.

There is no panic here. Liverpool should stay patient, stay firm and make sure any decision works for the club first.