Curtis Jones Transfer Update: Liverpool's Midfield Shake-Up
Liverpool’s midfield shake-up is edging closer, and this time the spotlight falls squarely on Curtis Jones.
While the noise around Anfield is dominated by the hunt for two new wingers – with Bradley Barcola sitting at the top of the wishlist – the real movement could come in the centre of the pitch. Liverpool’s recruitment drive out wide has a clear knock-on effect: if Barcola and another wide forward walk through the door, Cody Gakpo will be cleared to join Tottenham, with personal terms already agreed between the Dutchman and Spurs.
That alone would be a major decision. But Liverpool are now braced to cash in on another player in his prime.
Inter clear the decks for Jones
Inter Milan’s interest in Curtis Jones is no secret. The Serie A champions pushed hard in January, made him their priority midfield target, and never really went away. This summer they have already tested Liverpool’s resolve with multiple bids, the highest reaching around €30m (£26m), only to be turned away each time.
Liverpool initially drew a hard line at roughly €40m (£34m). Inter refused to go that high and, for a while, the move sat in limbo.
There was another complication. As Fabrizio Romano outlined, Inter would not return with a new offer until they created room in their squad by moving on Davide Frattesi. No exit, no fresh bid.
That block has now been removed. Romano delivered his trademark “here we go” on Frattesi’s switch to Lazio earlier in the week, and on Friday he detailed the structure of the agreement: an initial €5m loan, a €10m buy option, and a 50% sell-on clause retained by Inter. The Italian champions have freed both space and flexibility. One condition for a Jones push is satisfied.
The second condition was always Liverpool’s valuation. That has just shifted.
Price cut opens door to San Siro
Romano reported that Inter have kept Jones at the top of their midfield list since May and now believe a deal is realistic at around €35m (£30m). The Liverpool Echo quickly backed that up with a fresh update on Saturday, revealing that Liverpool are now prepared to accept that figure.
Their previous demand sat at £34m. Dropping to £30m is not a minor tweak; it’s a deliberate move to bring negotiations back to life.
Talks with Inter had stalled in recent weeks, but this new stance changes the landscape. With Frattesi gone and the price lowered, the path to San Siro is suddenly far less cluttered.
Liverpool now stand on the brink of sanctioning the departure of a 25-year-old midfielder who has come through their system and is entering his peak years, at the same time as they prepare to let Gakpo join Spurs once their wing rebuild is in place.
Two prime-age players, one reshaped squad, and a European giant ready to pounce. If Inter meet that €35m mark, does Anfield hold its nerve or cash in on Curtis Jones and lean fully into a new era?
