Curtis Jones is at the centre of a live transfer battle between Liverpool and Inter. Inter have already had a fresh offer of approximately €25 million rejected, while Liverpool are holding out for around £35 million, about €40 million, plus a sell-on clause of between 10% and 15%. Inter want the deal done before their pre-season begins in mid-July.

Liverpool’s price and Inter’s deadline

The gap is not just about cash, it is about timing. Corriere dello Sport reported that Inter want completion before mid-July, which gives the move a clear end point even if the talks keep dragging. Liverpool’s stance is firmer than a simple asking price, because the club also want the sell-on piece built into any deal.

That is the part that makes the negotiation awkward for Inter. A club can work around one price point, but a sell-on clause changes the structure of the whole move. Liverpool do not have to sell Jones, and the rejection of the first offer shows they are not treating this as a quick sale.

Jones’s own level is not the issue. He posted a 7.9 rating in a 1-1 Premier League draw with Brentford, 98 minutes that showed he can still influence games when Liverpool need control. His five-match average is 6.6, though, which is part of why the club may be open to listening if the valuation is met.

The wider market around Liverpool

There is also a separate midfield angle around Khéphren Thuram, another name linked with Liverpool in the same market. Juventus want €40-45 million for him, and Liverpool are competing with Manchester United and Nottingham Forest. Thuram has also snubbed advances from Al-Ahli and Galatasaray.

His recent numbers are decent rather than explosive, with a 6.9 in a 2-2 Serie A draw and a best recent mark of 7.9 across his last five games. That is enough to keep him on the radar, especially with Liverpool exploring options, but it does not change the fact that Jones is the immediate stand-off.

The player wants the move. Inter want it wrapped up before mid-July. Liverpool want the fee, and they want the clause as well. For now, the deal is still being shaped by the price, not by any shortage of interest.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →