Liverpool have reinforced their uncompromising position on Curtis Jones, flatly rejecting Inter Milan’s latest advance for the England international as the Serie A runners-up continue their pursuit of the Anfield midfielder.
The Nerazzurri submitted a fresh verbal proposal worth €25 million (£21 million) within the past 24 hours, only to see it dismissed immediately by Liverpool’s transfer hierarchy. The Merseyside club are understood to be holding out for a significantly higher valuation of their 23-year-old academy product, with the Italian giants’ opening gambit falling well short of expectations on Merseyside.
The rejected offer represents Inter’s second substantial attempt at landing Jones this summer, with the Milanese club previously identifying the former England Under-21 captain as a primary target as they look to bolster their midfield options following a season that saw them finish runners-up to AC Milan in Serie A. Simone Inzaghi’s side, who also reached the Champions League semi-finals before losing to Paris Saint-Germain, have been actively shopping in the Premier League market, with the pursuit of Jones representing their most ambitious midfield target to date.
Jones, who came through Liverpool’s renowned Academy system and made his senior debut in 2020, has emerged as a pivotal figure under Arne Slot following the Dutchman’s appointment last summer. The Scouse midfielder contributed seven goals and five assists across 49 appearances in all competitions last season—a tally that underlined his growing influence in the centre of the park. His performances helped Liverpool mount a sustained title challenge in the Premier League, with Jones particularly impressive during the Reds’ dominant autumn campaign when they topped the table for much of the winter months.
The youngster’s contract situation adds another layer of intrigue to the saga. Jones signed a long-term deal in 2023, committing his future to Liverpool until 2027, a circumstance that has strengthened the club’s negotiating position considerably. Unlike previous transfer windows where Liverpool faced pressure to sell homegrown talent, the current contractual reality means the Anfield outfit can afford to play the long game and wait for their valuation to be met.
Inter’s persistence in pursuit of Jones reflects their broader transfer strategy under Inzaghi, who has repeatedly targeted Premier League players to add physicality and tactical versatility to his squad. The club’s technical director has publicly acknowledged the difficulty of competing financially with English clubs, yet their continued interest in Jones suggests they view him as worth the investment despite the obvious financial obstacles.
The situation at Liverpool stands in contrast to the uncertainty surrounding their forward Cody Gakpo, who has emerged as a target for Tottenham Hotspur and incoming manager Roberto De Zerbi. The Brazilian-Italian coach, appointed as Ange Postecoglou’s replacement in North London, has identified the Dutch international as a priority signing as he looks to stamp his tactical philosophy on the Lilywhites. De Zerbi, renowned for his high-pressing, possession-based approach developed during successful spells at Shakhtar Donetsk, Brighton, and Marseille, believes Gakpo’s versatility and technical qualities align perfectly with his preferred system. However, any potential move would require a substantial outlay, with Liverpool understood to be valuing the former PSV Eindhoven man at around £60 million following an impressive season in which he contributed 14 goals and six assists across all competitions.
For Liverpool, the decision to rebuff Inter’s advances underscores a broader philosophy under the new sporting hierarchy. Having watched key assets depart for underwhelming fees in previous windows, the club has adopted a more resolute stance, refusing to sanction sales of players deemed central to their sporting project regardless of external interest. Jones, alongside the likes of Harvey Elliott and Ryan Gravenberch, represents the next generation of Liverpool’s midfield, and the club appear determined to build around such homegrown talent rather than cash in at the first sign of continental interest.
As things stand, Inter are expected to return with an improved offer, though sources close to the Italian club suggest they remain reluctant to meet Liverpool’s asking price in full. Whether the two clubs find common ground before the transfer window closes remains to be seen, but Liverpool’s position could hardly be clearer: Curtis Jones is not for sale at €25 million, or anywhere close to it.
Looking ahead, the coming weeks will determine whether Inter return with a revised proposal or pivot their attention elsewhere. For Liverpool, the priority remains consolidating their squad under Slot and mounting a sustained challenge on multiple fronts next season. Should Jones remain at Anfield—which increasingly appears likely—he will do so as a player whose value has only been reinforced by the club’s stubborn refusal to let him leave.