Curtis Jones one step away from Inter Milan deal | OneFootball

Liverpool are making big changes to the midfield.

Arne Slot lost his job as head coach last week and midfield was a problem during the 2025/26 season.

The Reds were unable to defend their Premier League title and there were poor performances from the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister.

Accordingly it has been suggested that sporting director Richard Hughes is in the market for midfield reinforcements.

Lamine Camara and Adam Wharton are among the players linked with an Anfield arrival but space will need to be made for new faces.

The biggest candidate for a departure is Curtis Jones.

Inter prefer Curtis Jones to Manu Kone

Liverpool’s homegrown midfielder is only under contract until 2027 and struggled to nail down a place in the starting XI last season. With little chance of a breakthrough in contract talks the England international may well be sacrificed.

Inter Milan are leading the chase for Jones - and view him as a more economical signing than Roma’s France international Manu Kone.

The Italian champions were interested in Jones back in January but ultimately no deal could be done. Now - pending negotiations - the 25-year-old could be on the way to the Serie A giants.

Inter still need to come up with the cash

“Jones hasn't forgotten Inter, and Inter hasn't forgotten him, especially because Chivu sees the 25-year-old Liverpool midfielder as the ideal candidate to strengthen his midfield,” a report reads in Tuttosport.

“Jones, as a good Premier League player, has pace and versatility and would certainly add something different to the players currently in the squad.

“Furthermore, and not least, Jones costs less than Roma's Frenchman.”

It has been claimed that Inter lowballed Liverpool in initial talks - failing to meet the Reds’ demands.

Green light soon around €25m

There remains a gap in valuations between Inter and Liverpool - but subject to certain conditions being met - including a resale clause - the deal will soon get the green light.

“Koné is valued by the Giallorossi at €50 million, a figure that could be lowered to around €45 million in a negotiation, while Liverpool have started with a €30-€35 million request for Jones,” the report reads.

“Last week, Ausilio made an initial offer of €20 million, backed by a contract that expires in 2027 and which Jones has so far refused to renew (an idea that shouldn't change despite the change in management from Slot to Iraola).

“There's therefore a gap, but also the feeling that the deal could be halfway there. How much? Probably €25 million, although an agreement on the percentage of the future resale price would need to be reached, a detail the Reds are very keen on.”