Liverpool have rejected a second bid from Inter Milan for midfielder Curtis Jones, with the Serie A club's latest offer of £21 million falling significantly short of the Reds' valuation. According to The Times, the proposal is roughly £14 million less than Liverpool's asking price of £35 million, leading to growing frustration among the club's hierarchy.
Valuation gap and contract situation
The 25-year-old academy graduate has just one year remaining on his current contract, and no negotiations over an extension are currently underway. Despite this, sporting director Richard Hughes is said to have little appetite for further discussions with Inter after the Italian club indicated they would not exceed £21.7 million. Liverpool do not consider Inter to be serious contenders for Jones's signature given the disparity in valuations.
The Reds believe their £35m price tag reflects fair market value, citing Conor Gallagher's move from Atletico Madrid to Tottenham in January for a comparable fee. Liverpool also rejected an approach from Inter during the winter transfer window, when the Italian side had hoped to secure a loan deal with an option to buy.
Heskey backs Serie A move
Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey has suggested that a move to Italy could benefit Jones's career. "I'd be very surprised if he's not pushing for a new contract," Heskey told LiveFootballTickets. "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."
Heskey added: "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. I think if Liverpool can't give him that I think he then looks at other pastures. 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."
Liverpool eye Leipzig star Diomande
Meanwhile, Liverpool have reportedly informed RB Leipzig that they are prepared to bid up to £86 million for 19-year-old Ivory Coast sensation Yann Diomande. The teenager has hinted he would be open to a Premier League move. "Would I be open to the Premier League? I don't know," Diomande said. "I am an RB Leipzig player, but why not? My agents will sort that out. As for me I am more focused on the World Cup, that's the most important thing."
