Inter Milan are facing a pivotal decision in their summer transfer strategy after Real Madrid confirmed Nico Paz is available for €60 million, a development that could force the Serie A giants to reassess their pursuit of Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones.
The Italian club had been locked in negotiations with Liverpool over Jones,提交了一份报价 for the England international that Anfield officials swiftly rejected. Liverpool manager Arne Slot has made clear the 23-year-old remains part of his long-term plans, with the club determined to keep hold of a player who contributed eight goal contributions in 37 Premier League appearances last season.
However, the sudden emergence of Paz as a viable target has complicated Inter’s thinking. The 19-year-old Argentine, who came through Real Madrid’s vaunted La Fábrica academy, burst onto the scene with a series of impressive performances that attracted attention across Europe’s top leagues. Paz’s 12 goal contributions in 31 La Liga appearances this campaign demonstrated the kind of attacking output Inter have been seeking to add to their midfield options.
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has apparently decided to cash in on the youngster rather than risk losing him for nothing when his contract expires. The €60 million asking price represents a significant sum but one that reflects Paz’s potential ceiling and the current market dynamics for promising young talent.
For Inter, the Paz option carries both advantages and risks. On one hand, the Argentine offers similar profile qualities to Jones—versatility, technical ability, and youth—while potentially coming at a more negotiated price given Real Madrid’s apparent willingness to sell. The Nerazzurri have beenactive in the market this summer, seeking to refresh a squad that finished third in Serie A and reached the Champions League final.
The historical context here is crucial. Inter have developed a reputation for identifying undervalued midfield talent and developing them into elite performers. Marcelo Brozović’s move to Saudi Arabia left a void that the club has struggled to fill consistently, while the injury-hit campaign of Henrikh Mkhitaryan highlighted the need for reliable depth in the centre of the park.
From Liverpool’s perspective, the situation presents an interesting dilemma. Jones has shown flashes of brilliance since breaking into the first team, but consistency has sometimes eluded him. With the club operating under new management and navigating a transitional phase, losing a homegrown player of Jones’s quality could be seen as a step backwards—particularly to a direct rival for Champions League qualification.
The transfer market landscape further complicates matters. Inter’s interest in Paz comes at a time when Real Madrid themselves are reshaping their squad, having secured the signatures of Kylian Mbappé and Endrick Felipe. The surplus of attacking talent at the Bernabéu has made Paz expendable, creating an unexpected opportunity for clubs like Inter to pounce.
Inter’s sporting director Piero Ausilio will need to carefully weigh his options in the coming weeks. Pursuing Jones would require Liverpool to lower their demands significantly, while moving for Paz represents a different kind of investment—one based more on future potential than immediate impact.
The tactical fit also merits consideration. Inter manager Simone Inzaghi typically operates a 3-5-2 formation that requires midfielders capable of contributing both defensively and offensively. Both Paz and Jones possess these qualities, though Paz’s experience in a more possession-heavy La Liga system might offer certain tactical advantages in European competition.
What seems increasingly clear is that Inter cannot afford to wait indefinitely. The transfer window continues its relentless pace, and clubs across Europe are making their moves. The Nerazzurri have been patient in their pursuit of midfield reinforcements, but that patience may soon reach its limit.
For Paz, a move to Italy could represent the perfect next step in his development. The Serie A environment offers tactical education, competitive intensity, and the opportunity to play European football regularly—all factors that could accelerate his maturation into a elite-level operator.
Meanwhile, Jones will likely remain at Liverpool unless a significantly improved offer arrives. The England international showed during the latter stages of last season that he can be a difference-maker at the highest level, and Slot will be keen to harness that potential.
As the summer transfer saga unfolds, Inter find themselves at a crossroads. The pursuit of Jones may have hit an impasse, but Paz’s availability has opened an intriguing alternative path. How the club navigates this decision could define their ambitions for the season ahead—and potentially reshape the balance of power in Serie A’s race for Champions League qualification.