Liverpool have rejected a second offer from Inter Milan for midfielder Curtis Jones, with the Serie A champions' £21.7m proposal falling well short of the Reds' valuation. The gap between the two clubs stands at nearly £15m, as Liverpool seek closer to £35m for the 25-year-old Academy graduate.
Inter's bids fall short
Inter first approached Liverpool in January but were rebuffed. Talks resumed in recent weeks, but Inter's latest verbal offer remains far from Liverpool's asking price. The Reds are using Conor Gallagher's £35m move to Tottenham Hotspur from Atletico Madrid in January as a benchmark. Liverpool have grown frustrated with Inter's attempts to secure Jones at a reduced fee.
Jones, who finished last season as a makeshift right-back under Arne Slot, is in the final year of his contract at Anfield. The club would rather keep him for the remainder of his deal than sell for what they consider a derisory sum.
Market context and priorities
This transfer window has seen midfielders Elliot Anderson, Matheus Fernandes, and Sandro Tonali linked with moves for fees between £80m and £100m. Replacing Jones at a cut-price would be difficult for Liverpool, especially as they prioritise other targets, such as RB Leipzig's £100m-rated Yan Diomande.
Former head coach Slot hinted in February that contract talks were open, but no discussions are currently active, and a new deal appears unlikely. Jones is seeking more game time after only 18 Premier League starts last season.
Jones' Liverpool career
Jones has made 228 appearances for his boyhood club since his debut in January 2019 and has earned four England caps. It remains unclear whether Inter will return with an improved offer that could persuade Liverpool to do business.
