Inter Milan's Pursuit of Curtis Jones Stalls Over Fee

Inter Milan’s long courtship of Curtis Jones is stalling on one blunt reality: Liverpool’s price.

The Serie A champions have admired the midfielder for months and saw this summer as their chance, with Jones heading into the final year of his contract at Anfield. Liverpool, wary of losing him for nothing in 12 months, are open to a sale. But only on their terms.

Inter tested that stance with an offer of €25m (£21.7m). Liverpool barely blinked. Their valuation sits closer to £35m, and they have shown no inclination to climb down.

This is not a new flirtation. Inter first moved in January, trying to take the 25-year-old on loan with an option to buy. Liverpool rejected it outright, unwilling to weaken their midfield mid-season for what they saw as an unsatisfactory structure. Inter didn’t walk away then, and they haven’t walked away quickly now either. Talks have rumbled on in recent weeks, but the gap has only become clearer.

On Wednesday, Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio put that into words.

“I’ve never denied that we like Curtis Jones,” he said. “He has the qualities that could give us something extra. But there’s a significant gap between our valuation and Liverpool’s.

“Liverpool have every right to ask for what they believe is a fair price, and we have every right to decide whether that works for us or not. As things stand, I’d say it’s very difficult.”

That sounds less like a negotiating stance and more like a club preparing its supporters for disappointment. The admiration is obvious; the deal, at this stage, is not.

Jones’ situation only adds to the intrigue. With 12 months left on his contract, this is the decision point for Liverpool. Sell now or risk a free transfer next summer. Yet their price suggests they still see him as a player of genuine value, not a distressed asset to be offloaded at a discount.

The market around him is shifting too. Nottingham Forest have explored a move, needing midfield reinforcements after Elliot Anderson agreed a headline-grabbing £116m switch to Manchester City. Jones, though, is believed to have little appetite for a move to Forest, leaving them searching elsewhere while his future remains in limbo.

Aston Villa and Arsenal have also been linked during this window, both clubs looking to add depth and technical quality in midfield. For now, those links sit in the background, but they matter. If Liverpool hold firm on the fee, it will likely take a Premier League rival or a late change of heart from Inter to break the deadlock.

Inter’s stance is clear. Liverpool’s is even clearer.

Between them stands Curtis Jones, a year from freedom, waiting to see who blinks first.