Report: £34.5m price tag may stop move for Liverpool star | OneFootball

Curtis Jones future in focus as Inter Milan cool interest over £34.5m Liverpool valuation

Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones appears increasingly likely to remain at Anfield this summer after fresh reports suggested Inter Milan are unwilling to meet the club’s asking price, despite maintaining a long-standing interest in the England international.

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, Inter Milan remain admirers of the 25-year-old but negotiations have reached a significant impasse. Liverpool’s valuation of around £34.5m, equivalent to approximately €40m, is proving too steep for the Serie A side, who are reluctant to increase their offer beyond €25m.

With Arsenal also reportedly monitoring the situation, Jones’ future has become one of the more intriguing storylines of Liverpool’s summer transfer window.

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Liverpool stand firm over Curtis Jones valuation

Curtis Jones remains a player Liverpool value highly, despite growing speculation over his future. The academy graduate still has a contract running until June 2027, meaning Liverpool are under no immediate pressure to sell.

Calciomercato reports that Inter Milan have submitted only what has been described as a minimal offer, with a sizeable gap remaining between the two clubs.

Liverpool’s stance is understandable. Jones is entering what should be the prime years of his career and continues to offer versatility across midfield. Although opportunities have fluctuated in recent seasons, he remains a trusted option capable of playing several roles.

Inter, however, view the situation differently. With Jones entering the final 12 months before he could begin negotiating a free transfer abroad, the Italian club believe Liverpool’s demands exceed what they consider to be fair market value.

That difference in opinion has left talks at a standstill.

Inter Milan refuse to bridge financial gap

The report from Calciomercato explains that Inter Milan have no intention of matching Liverpool’s €40m valuation.

The publication states that Liverpool’s asking price remains significantly higher than Inter’s own assessment, with the Italian giants currently unwilling to exceed €25m.

Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio recently addressed the club’s interest in Jones, saying:

“Minimum range? You say so, the millions aren’t yours. We were interested in January and we’re still interested now. We tried and we’ll try again. If we meet later on to evaluate, fine, otherwise we’ll do something else.”

Those comments underline that Inter have not abandoned their pursuit completely. However, unless one side softens its position, there appears little prospect of an immediate breakthrough.

Calciomercato also claims new head coach Cristian Chivu is particularly keen on bringing Jones to Milan before pre-season preparations begin, although finances remain the biggest obstacle.

Arsenal interest adds fresh dimension

Inter Milan are not the only club keeping a close eye on developments.

The report references claims from the Daily Mail suggesting Arsenal have entered the picture as Mikel Arteta searches for additional midfield depth after alternative targets became increasingly difficult to secure.

Whether Arsenal’s interest develops into a formal approach remains unclear, but another Premier League club entering the race could strengthen Liverpool’s negotiating position.

For Liverpool, there is little incentive to compromise unless a bid reflects Jones’ importance within the squad.

Competition for places remains fierce, yet Jones has consistently demonstrated his ability to contribute whenever called upon. His homegrown status also adds value under Premier League registration rules.

That combination makes Liverpool’s £34.5m valuation appear logical from their perspective.

Summer window could hinge on Liverpool patience

Transfer negotiations rarely follow a straight line, and Jones’ situation appears no different.

Inter Milan may hope circumstances change later in the window, particularly if Liverpool’s midfield plans evolve or additional arrivals alter the club’s thinking. Equally, Liverpool can afford patience while Jones remains under contract.

Calciomercato suggests Inter could eventually generate fresh funds through outgoing transfers, potentially allowing them to revisit negotiations before the window closes.

For now, though, the gap remains substantial.

Liverpool’s position is clear. Curtis Jones will not leave cheaply, and any interested club must be prepared to meet a valuation of around £34.5m if they hope to tempt the Premier League champions into serious discussions.

Unless that financial divide narrows considerably, Jones looks increasingly likely to remain part of Liverpool’s plans for another campaign, with Inter Milan facing an uphill battle to secure one of their priority midfield targets.