Inter Milan’s Pursuit of Curtis Jones Faces Liverpool's Valuation
Inter Milan’s long courtship of Curtis Jones is close to running aground on a familiar rock in modern football: price.
The Serie A champions have tracked the Liverpool midfielder for months, sensing an opportunity as he moves into the final year of his deal at Anfield. Liverpool, wary of losing him for nothing next summer, are open to a sale. But only on their terms.
Those terms are proving decisive.
Inter saw a €25million (£21.7m) offer knocked back recently, with Liverpool valuing the 25-year-old closer to £35m. For a club that has built its recent success on shrewd, disciplined business, that gap is not a detail. It is the story.
Ausilio cools the chase
Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio did not bother hiding his admiration for Jones. Nor did he sugar-coat the reality.
“I’ve never denied that we like Curtis Jones,” he admitted. “He has the qualities that could give us something extra. But there’s a significant gap between our valuation and Liverpool’s.
“Liverpool have every right to ask for what they believe is a fair price, and we have every right to decide whether that works for us or not. As things stand, I’d say it’s very difficult.”
That last line lands heavily. Inter have chased Jones since January, when they tried to prise him away on loan with an option to buy. Liverpool refused, sending a clear early signal that they would not be lowballed for a homegrown midfielder they still rate.
Months later, nothing has changed on Merseyside. The price is the price.
A shrinking window and growing interest
Jones now stands at a crossroads. One year left on his contract. A club willing to sell, but only at a premium. A major European champion interested, but not at any cost.
Nottingham Forest have explored a move as they look to reinforce their midfield following Elliot Anderson’s blockbuster £116m switch to Manchester City. Jones, though, is believed to have little appetite for that move, a stance that narrows his options but underlines his own ambitions.
Aston Villa and Arsenal have both been linked during this window, clubs with European aspirations and tactical setups where a technically clean, press-resistant midfielder could thrive. Neither, however, has yet tested Liverpool’s resolve publicly in the way Inter have.
So the situation hangs there, finely balanced. Liverpool hold a strong valuation, but a ticking contract. Inter hold a genuine interest, but a strict budget and a director who has now gone on record about how “very difficult” the deal looks.
Something has to give. The question is whether it will be the fee, the suitors, or the player’s own future at Anfield.
