Inter Milan Intensifies Pursuit of Curtis Jones Amid Liverpool's £35m Stance

Inter Milan have come back for Curtis Jones. Hard.

The Serie A champions have revived their pursuit of the Liverpool midfielder with a fresh proposal worth around £30 million ($40.5m), testing the resolve of a club that has so far refused to blink. The offer still falls short of Liverpool’s £35m ($47.2m) valuation, a figure they have reluctantly attached to one of their own.

This is not a new flirtation. Inter first made their move in January, only to be told there would be no mid-season departures from Anfield. The timing was wrong, the message blunt. As the winter window ticked towards its close, Liverpool made it clear Jones was going nowhere.

That stance did not deter the Italians. A bid of about £21m ($28.3m) landed early last month and was swiftly dismissed, the gap between the clubs so wide that Liverpool saw little point in even entertaining a negotiation. Inter, though, have not walked away.

Agents working on Inter’s behalf have now gone back to Liverpool, signalling a willingness to raise the stakes. The latest £30m approach shows intent, but not yet agreement. Liverpool are still standing at £35m and waiting to see who moves next.

Inside Anfield, the debate is a live one. Sporting director Richard Hughes and head coach Andoni Iraola must weigh up a homegrown midfielder with just a year left on his deal against a sizeable fee and a player who wants more guaranteed starts.

Jones, born in the city centre and steeped in the club’s culture, has already amassed 228 appearances since his debut in January 2019. He has been a squad pillar rather than an undisputed starter, and at 23, the desire for a more central role is sharpening. Regular, nailed-on first-team football is what he wants.

Iraola made his position clear earlier this month. He spoke of plans, not partings.

"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," he said, underlining both admiration and intent.

He also leaned into what Jones represents, not just what he produces.

"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."

That is the fault line in this saga. Inter see opportunity: a talented, Premier League-hardened midfielder entering the final year of his contract, with a price that might soften as the clock runs down. Liverpool see something more complex: a local player, trusted by the head coach, with resale value but also symbolic weight in the dressing room and the stands.

For now, Liverpool are holding the line at £35m. Inter have come back once. They may yet come again.

The next move will say plenty about how hard Liverpool are prepared to fight to keep a scouse heartbeat in their midfield – and how badly Inter want Curtis Jones at the centre of their own.