Finish line in sight over deal for £35m midfielder

These are delicate times for Curtis Jones and Liverpool.

The homegrown midfielder, 25, has got a contract at Anfield which expires in summer 2027. If no new deal is agreed then as it stands the No17 will be leaving his hometown club for free next summer.

Jones has been unable to nail down a place in the regular midfield configuration - having to settle for rotation minutes under Arne Slot as well as a makeshift right-back role.

Inter Milan tested the waters over the England international back in January but Liverpool were unwilling to do business.

Inter coming back for Curtis Jones

The Italian champions have returned to the negotiation table this summer - viewing Jones as their No1 transfer target. But the Nerazzurri are testing Richard Hughes’ patience - only rising their bid as high as €20m in talks.

That falls a long way short of the outgoing Premier League champions’ valuation of around £35m - leaving negotiations at an impasse.

What comes next is uncertain - with Inter moving on with signing other targets.

Inter currently finalising other targets

Ivan Provodel is expected to get over the line soon - with Anan Khalaili also coming through the San Siro door. And once Inter’s other business is tidied up - as the window ticks down we can expect the Serie A giants to return for Jones.

According to a report in Gazzetta dello Sport Inter are confident of landing Jones for around £25m - taking advantage of Liverpool’s precarious contract position over their Scouse midfielder.

“To date, the situation remains somewhat stalled and isn't expected to be particularly short, considering that Inter sent in their offer of around €20 million—"exploiting" his contract expiring next year—but Liverpool simultaneously turned him down, demanding nearly double that,” the report reads.

“The Nerazzurri management, however, has no intention of giving up on what has always been their primary target in midfield. Indeed, they hope the Reds will be convinced it's better to settle for an offer perhaps around €25-30 million rather than lose Jones for free in a few months, when the Englishman will officially be free to reach a pre-agreement with any club other than Liverpool.”

Jones reportedly agreed Inter deal

It has been reported that Jones has effectively called time on his Liverpool career despite the arrival of a new head coach in Andoni Iraola.

The six-cap Englishman has agreed terms on a five-year deal at Inter - it’s been claimed - and it’s that factor that will also go in Inter’s favour by the end of the window claims GdS.

“Another detail not to be underestimated is the player's willingness, with whom Inter already have a draft agreement,” the report reads.

“He firmly believes his time in England is over and, above all, is intrigued by the prospect of experiencing something outside the Premier League for the first time.

“With two key pieces of the Nerazzurri puzzle in place, Inter will be able to decisively return to Jones. Everyone's favorite.”