Curtis Jones is increasingly likely to leave Liverpool before the September 1 transfer deadline after missing both matches against Como. The 25-year-old midfielder was absent for the behind-closed-doors friendly at the AXA Training Centre and the full-length match at Anfield, which Liverpool won 2-0 with goals from Cody Gakpo and Jeremy Jacquet.
Jones absent from Como double header
Jones also missed the defeat to Monaco at Anfield last weekend with an apparent hip injury. Although he returned to training on Wednesday, he underwent an individual recovery session at the Kirkby HQ instead of playing against Como.
The academy graduate, who has been at Liverpool since the age of nine, is out of contract in June 2027. Inter Milan have had bids of around £17 million and £22 million rejected for Jones in June, according to Fabrizio Romano, who reports that Inter are expected to make a new bid and that the player wants the move.
Liverpool's valuation and Inter's interest
Liverpool are thought to value Jones at £35 million, informed by the fee that took Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid to Tottenham in January. Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio said earlier this summer: "Curtis Jones - we are paying attention to him. We didn't hide. We understand what the developments will be."
Federico Chiesa admitted to Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport that Jones had asked him what life is like in Italy. Jones has been a boyhood supporter of the club, and manager Andoni Iraola said last month: "I rate Curtis very highly. For me he is a great, great player, and I hope he can continue with us and continue performing the way he has been performing."
Pre-season row and future outlook
Jones was at the centre of a heated row in pre-season with team-mates Dominik Szoboszlai and Kostas Tsimikas after a win over Wrexham in the United States. Tsimikas was handed the captain's armband instead of Jones when Szoboszlai went off. Szoboszlai later clarified: "We just discussed something on the pitch. Actually, you guys (the media) make it very big. But next time we will manage to do it in the changing room. No, nobody was angry at no-one. It's all cleared. We are cool, everybody."
With 16 days remaining until the window closes, Iraola could yet sign Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye from Paris Saint-Germain, who were left out of the match-day squad to face Lens in the Trophee des Champions on Sunday night.
