Liverpool reject £21.7m Inter Milan bid for Curtis Jones

Liverpool rebuff Inter Milan's £21.7m approach for Curtis Jones

Liverpool have rejected a verbal offer of €25 million (£21.7m) from Inter Milan for midfielder Curtis Jones, according to reports. The Italian club made contact with the Merseyside outfit to test their resolve over the 23-year-old Academy graduate.

The bid, delivered informally through intermediaries, falls well short of Liverpool's valuation of Jones. The Reds see the England Under-21 international as a key part of their first-team squad moving forward, particularly given his homegrown status and tactical flexibility.

Context: Jones's role at Anfield

Curtis Jones emerged through Liverpool's youth system, making his senior debut in 2019. He has since amassed over 100 appearances for the club, contributing 10 goals and 12 assists across all competitions. In the 2023-24 season, Jones played 32 matches, predominantly in a midfield trio under Jürgen Klopp, but has also featured in wide attacking roles.

His ability to progress the ball from deep and link play between the lines has made him a valuable squad asset. Last term, he averaged 1.3 key passes per 90 minutes in the Premier League, with a pass completion rate of 88%. Jones also registered three goals and three assists in the league, despite missing several weeks through injury.

From a tactical standpoint, Jones's versatility suits the system new head coach Arne Slot is expected to implement. Slot favours midfielders comfortable in possession and capable of breaking lines — attributes Jones possesses in abundance. The Dutch coach may view Jones as a rotational option alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

Impact on Liverpool and transfer market

Rejecting Inter's offer signals Liverpool's intention to retain homegrown talent amid a period of squad recalibration. The club have seen several Academy products leave in recent windows, including Jordan Henderson and James Milner, but Jones is viewed as a long-term asset. His contract, signed in 2021, runs until 2026, giving the club significant negotiating leverage.

For Inter, the pursuit highlights their need for midfield reinforcement following a busy summer window. The Italian champions have already added Davide Frattesi and Piotr Zieliński, but losing Hakan Çalhanoğlu to injury and the impending departure of Henrikh Mkhitaryan have created gaps. Jones's profile — a box-to-box midfielder with Premier League experience — fits their requirements, but their initial offer was deemed insufficient.

In the wider transfer context, £21.7m for a 23-year-old with Jones's experience in top-flight football would represent a modest fee. Comparable deals include Mason Mount's £55m move from Chelsea to Manchester United and James Maddison's £40m transfer from Leicester to Tottenham. Liverpool's valuation is likely in excess of £35m, a figure Inter may struggle to reach given their financial constraints.

Fantasy Premier League and betting implications

For FPL managers, Jones's continued presence at Liverpool offers a budget midfield option (£5.0m in 2023-24 pricing). However, his minutes are not guaranteed under Slot, who may rotate heavily. Jones's ownership sits at around 3.2% as of the start of the season, making him a differential pick. If he stays, favourable fixtures in Gameweeks 5-9 (including home games against Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth) could provide value.

In betting markets, Inter are now odds-on to make an improved bid, with bookmakers pricing a transfer at 3/1 before the end of the window. Liverpool to keep Jones beyond September is priced at 1/4.

What's next for Jones and Inter

Inter are expected to return with a revised offer, possibly including add-ons to reach a total package closer to €30m (£26m). However, Liverpool are under no pressure to sell, and Slot's midfield plans will heavily influence the outcome. If Jones impresses in pre-season, the asking price may rise further.

For Liverpool, the decision on Jones will be one of several in a summer that has already seen offers for players like Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez. The club's hierarchy are determined to avoid losing key squad members unless their valuations are met.

Jones himself is understood to be happy on Merseyside, where he has progressed through every age group. A move to Serie A would represent a new challenge, but the midfielder is likely to wait for a proposal that satisfies both clubs and his own ambitions. The next two weeks will be pivotal as the transfer window enters its final phase.