Inter Milan's Pursuit of Curtis Jones Stalls

Inter Milan’s long courtship of Curtis Jones has run into a familiar problem: Liverpool’s valuation and their own are miles apart.

The Serie A champions have admired the Liverpool midfielder for months and saw an opportunity as he edges towards the final year of his contract at Anfield. From a distance, it looked like classic Inter business – identify a player on the fringes, use contract pressure, strike a clever deal.

Liverpool have refused to play along.

Their stance has been consistent. Inter first tried to take Jones on loan in January with an option to buy, only to be knocked back immediately. That didn’t cool their interest. Talks have continued in recent weeks, and Inter finally put money on the table: an offer of €25m (about £21.7m).

Liverpool said no. Their price is closer to £35m. Pay it, or walk away.

On Thursday, Inter’s sporting director Piero Ausilio effectively admitted they are being pushed towards the second option.

“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 last line lands like a verdict. Inter have not officially pulled out, but when a director goes that far in public, the message is clear: unless Liverpool climb down, this move dies.

From Liverpool’s side, the logic is straightforward. Jones is 25, homegrown, and entering the final 12 months of his deal. They are open to selling rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer, but they will not treat him as a bargain-bin asset just because of his contract situation. In a market where midfielders of similar age and profile regularly move for hefty fees, they see £35m as a fair reflection of his value.

Inter, operating under tighter financial parameters, see something different. For them, Jones is a player with upside but also one who has not yet fully established himself as a guaranteed starter at Anfield. Their €25m offer reflects that view. The gap in valuation is not a rounding error; it is a gulf.

While that stand-off plays out, the rest of the market circles.

Nottingham Forest have looked at Jones as they search for midfield reinforcements after Elliot Anderson agreed a blockbuster £116m move to Manchester City. Forest can offer minutes and responsibility, but Jones is understood not to be keen on that destination.

The interest higher up the table is more intriguing. Aston Villa and Arsenal have both been linked during this window, clubs who can offer European football and ambitious projects, as well as a style of play that would suit a technically sharp, press-resistant midfielder.

For now, though, Liverpool hold the strongest hand. They have a player under contract, a clear price, and multiple potential suitors. Inter have admiration, a long-running interest, and a director already warning that the deal is “very difficult”.

If no one blinks, Jones starts the season still in red, his future pushed into the final, dangerous year of his contract. If someone does, it won’t be for €25m.

The question now is simple: who values Curtis Jones enough to pay Liverpool’s number before time runs out?