Liverpool have ALREADY decided Curtis Jones' £65m midfield successor

Inter Milan were linked with a shock move for Curtis Jones during the January transfer window.

Jones, 25, is reported to have been offered the chance to move to San Siro on an initial six-month loan deal but no agreement could ultimately be reached.

On the Liverpool side they say the club were unwilling to weaken the squad through the sales of any senior players.

But sources in Italy tell a different story - that the Premier League champions were in fact willing to do a deal but Jones’ 2027 contract expiry was causing a problem.

The Reds wanted the England man to agree to an extension before sending him on loan and also wanted a clause to ensure an obligation to buy next summer.

But no contract agreement was reached and Jones stayed put.

Liverpool explored Kees Smit deal in January

And it’s now emerged that plans were made in the January window to REPLACE the homegrown favourite with one of the top young midfielders around.

AZ’s Kees Smit - a promising Dutch star - is on the radar of all of Europe’s major clubs. Real Madrid were initially thought to be leading the race with chief scout Juni Calafat reportedly bowled over by the Netherlands’ under-21 international.

Under contract until 2028 Smit won’t be at the Alkmaar side much longer and Liverpool made an attempt to get a move going in January.

“The 20-year-old AZ Alkmaar standout has attracted sustained interest from Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United, all of whom explored potential deals during the January transfer window,” a report reads in Caught Offside.

“Liverpool are believed to have taken early steps by holding preliminary discussions with Smit’s representatives earlier this year.”

Kees Smit could go for £65m (€75m)

The report claims the Reds and table-topping Arsenal will be back in summer to compete for Smit’s signature.

“AZ Alkmaar have placed an initial valuation of around €60 million on Smit, but that figure is widely expected to rise,” the report continues.

“With multiple Premier League clubs monitoring the situation, the price could climb towards €75 million, a level that reflects both Smit’s potential and the inflationary effect of English interest.”

Liverpool midfielders' futures in doubt

Liverpool’s midfield is certainly in need of rejuvenation.

Not only is Jones’ future in profound doubt but Wataru Endo is also out of contract in 2027 and may well depart soon. Then there’s Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai - now the subject of contract renewal bids from sporting director Richard Hughes.

Both are out of contract in 2028 and if no new deals are forthcoming then the Anfield side could be left with no option other than to sell.

Factor in Alexis Mac Allister’s situation and you can see why the Merseysiders need to take out midfield insurance in the form of a new signing.

The 27-year-old is on the radar of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. He too is out of contract in 2028 but amid diminishing returns he could be sacrificed to make room for a new face in summer.

Will Kees Smit be the one?

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