Inter Milan Sets Deadline for Curtis Jones Transfer
Liverpool’s summer of upheaval has taken another sharp turn, with Inter Milan setting a clear deadline in their pursuit of Curtis Jones while another midfield target, Brighton’s Yasin Ayari, cools talk of a move to Anfield.
Inter push clock on Curtis Jones deal
Inter’s interest in Jones has been no secret. TEAMtalk reported earlier this month that the Liverpool midfielder has already given the green light to a move to San Siro, with the Serie A champions initially eyeing a deal in the region of €20m.
Liverpool are not playing along at that price.
The club, already reeling from the free-transfer exits of Ibrahima Konaté to Real Madrid and Andy Robertson to Tottenham, are holding firm at around €30m. They also want a percentage of any future resale built into the agreement, a clear sign they believe Jones’ best years are still ahead of him.
Inter, though, are trying to inject urgency. According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, they want Jones “available in Germany starting July 16th” as they look to have him in place for their pre-season preparations under Cristian Chivu. The Italian side are confident the player’s desire to join and his contract situation — just one year left — will eventually force a breakthrough.
For now, the stalemate is financial. Inter remain “stuck with around 20 players” on their books and must move carefully, but they are banking on Liverpool softening as the window wears on. The Reds, in contrast, see Jones as a valuable asset in a summer when Mohamed Salah is also expected to depart, likely for Saudi Arabia or another major offer abroad, and when names like Alexis Mac Allister have been mentioned in passing in the wider churn around the squad.
The pressure is building on both sides. Inter want their man in camp by mid-July. Liverpool want a fee that can meaningfully fund their own rebuild. Something has to give.
Ayari cools Liverpool talk from inside “World Cup bubble”
While Jones’ future is being thrashed out in boardrooms, another name linked with Liverpool is doing his best to shut down the noise.
Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari has been floated as a potential target after impressing for Sweden in their opening match of the tournament. His performances have caught the eye, but the 21-year-old insists he is paying no attention to rumours of Anfield interest.
Speaking to Fotbollskanalen, Ayari said: “I’m in the World Cup bubble, as they say. I don’t have a clue about anything. Everyone else is taking care of it for me. I’m just here and focusing on the World Cup.”
No teasing, no hints. Just a firm line: country first, club talk later.
Back at Brighton, the future is already being shaped. The Seagulls have signed Zadok Yohanna from Ayari’s former club AIK Fotboll, and Ayari is ready to play the older brother role when the teenager arrives on the south coast.
“It will be fun,” he said. “I haven’t seen much of him in the Swedish league, but it will be fun to start and see how he goes.
“I will take care of him, but many people will take care of him. It’s a family club, so it should go well.”
Liverpool will watch that situation from a distance for now, their immediate focus dragged back to Inter’s ticking clock and the question that will shape the rest of their window: do they cash in on Curtis Jones at Inter’s price, or force the Italians to meet theirs?
