Italian media reports claim that the hip injury cited as the reason for Curtis Jones' absence from Liverpool's pre-season matches is a 'white lie' designed to disguise the truth. Inter Milan have been keen to sign Jones all summer and appear close to agreeing a deal.
Transfer negotiations intensify
Liverpool rejected a second bid from Inter worth £21.7 million in June, but speculation has continued. The Reds have reportedly reduced their asking price from €40 million (£34 million) to facilitate a conclusion, as they have grown frustrated by Inter's approach.
Pre-season absence explained
Jones has missed the last three pre-season matches against Leeds, Monaco, and Como. After the 3-2 defeat by Monaco on August 9, manager Andoni Iraola attributed the absence to a minor hip complaint.
“Curtis, he has trained every day but yesterday finished with issues in the hip,” Iraola said. “It doesn’t look anything big but it didn’t make any sense to risk and those are the ones, more or less, closer to a return.”
However, after Jones sat out the 2-0 win over Como on Sunday, having returned to training on Wednesday, Sport Mediaset report that the medical explanation is a 'white lie'. Instead, he is missing games to force through the transfer and avoid an injury that could jeopardise the move.
Player's desire to move
Corriere dello Sport report that the Liverpool academy graduate has his heart set on the move to Italy, where he would link up with John Stones and Djed Spence. Inter have loaned out Davide Frattesi to Lazio, freeing up space, and are ready to make an official bid worth €30 million (£25.65 million) plus add-ons.
That bid remains below Liverpool's valuation, but with less than a year remaining on Jones' contract and the club needing sales after losing Ibrahima Konate, Andy Robertson, and Mohamed Salah for nothing this summer, their bargaining power is limited.
Earlier in the summer, Iraola hinted he wanted to keep Jones. “I rate Curtis very highly,” he said. “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. It’s very important that he’s scouse, that he’s from here. I also like the personality. From the outside at least he looks like a player with good character and I hope we can keep him, not only for this year but for more time.”
