Emile Heskey has named Bournemouth's Alex Scott and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton as potential replacements for Curtis Jones, should the Liverpool midfielder depart for Inter Milan this summer. The former Reds striker believes the Italian champions' interest stems from an impasse in contract negotiations at Anfield.
Contract Stalemate Fuels Transfer Speculation
Curtis Jones has just one year remaining on his current Liverpool contract, and talks over an extension have reportedly stalled. Inter briefly approached Liverpool during the January transfer window but were rebuffed. Despite manager Arne Slot confirming in February that discussions were ongoing, reports in Italy suggest a £35 million fee is being discussed, though the clubs remain apart in their valuations.
Heskey, who scored 22 goals for Gerard Houllier's treble-winning side 25 years ago, told LiveFootballTickets: "I'd be very surprised if he's not pushing for a new contract. So there's something there that tells me that they're not willing to offer him what he wants. They're either not willing to offer him a new contract or they're not willing to offer him what he wants in that contract."
Jones' Ambitions and Potential Move
Heskey highlighted Jones' desire to become a regular England player, which requires consistent first-team football. "He's got ambitions to be a regular England player. So he needs to be playing regularly, and I think he can become a regular England player but he needs to be playing regularly at his club," Heskey added. He drew parallels with Scott McTominay's move to Napoli, which revitalized the midfielder's career.
"You look at Scott McTominay (at Napoli) who has gone on to play in Italy and he’s been lauded for it. He's actually changed the way people look at him as a footballer, and I think Curtis has got the ability to do that," Heskey said.
Liverpool's Transfer Priorities
Heskey identified midfield and centre-back as key areas for Liverpool to strengthen under new manager Andoni Iraola, especially with Ibrahima Konate having left the club. "I think midfield is a key place that they need to add to. I think another one of the most important places is centre-back. Konate is gone now, so there are two positions that they need straight away," he said.
Regarding potential midfield signings, Heskey stated: "I think I see Alex Scott being the one for midfield. Adam Wharton would be another good one. I know Elliot Anderson looks like he's going to Man City. He would have been another one."
Need for Defensive Solidity
Heskey emphasized the importance of a new centre-back to partner Virgil van Dijk, saying: "Someone to work alongside Virgil van Dijk who makes us solid again because we haven't been. We haven't been solid for a while."
