Inter are back in the picture for Curtis Jones, and the numbers are still doing most of the talking. Inter are starting around €20m, while Liverpool want more than €30m, with a sell-on clause and bonuses also in play. That leaves at least a €10m gap before the clubs even get to the extras. Fabrizio Romano says Jones is still a very high name on Inter’s list and the deal is still on despite the gap.

Inter's opening offer

This is not a clean negotiation. Inter are talking to Liverpool, but they are nowhere near the fee Liverpool want, and the difference is wide enough to slow things down. Romano's line is the clearest indicator that the move is live, not dead: Inter are interested, Liverpool are listening, and the price is still the problem.

Jones' value is harder to treat like that of a squad player. He has made 200+ appearances for Liverpool, and he has added 22 goals and 25 assists. That is not the profile of a throwaway sale, which is why Liverpool are pushing for more than the first offer on the table.

The contract angle around Jones

Emile Heskey read the situation as more than a straightforward fee dispute. He said: "I'd be very surprised if he's not pushing for a new contract. So there's something there that tells me that they're not willing to offer him what he wants." Heskey also said Jones needs regular club football to become a regular England player.

Jones has just one year remaining on his current Liverpool contract, which gives the talk extra weight. Liverpool's recent league form has been uneven, with DLDLW across their last five matches, and that does at least open the door for the argument that regular football could be easier to find elsewhere.

Heskey also pointed to Italy as a realistic stage for a midfielder with Jones' range. He compared the move with Scott McTominay's spell at Napoli, saying Jones could play in several positions and has the ability to lead. That does not mean a deal is done. It does mean the conversation is about more than a price tag, and Inter's interest still looks serious enough to keep the story alive.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →