Curtis Jones and Liverpool face a costly decision after Inter’s second bid is rejected
A valuation gap with consequences
Inter’s £21.7m offer for Curtis Jones has been rejected, and Liverpool’s stance puts a bigger question on the table: is keeping a valued midfielder worth the risk of losing him for nothing next summer? The club puts his price nearer £35m, with Conor Gallagher’s January move from Atlético Madrid to Tottenham used as a comparison.
That gap matters. Liverpool would rather hold on to the 25-year-old than accept a fee they consider too low, even if that means Jones could leave on a free transfer at the end of next season. The ECHO’s Liverpool writers weigh the options.
Jones warms up before Liverpool’s Premier League match against Brentford at Anfield on May 24, 2026. (Photo: Jack Thomas/Getty Images)
Paul Gorst
Arne Slot said in February, after Inter first made contact during the January window, that Liverpool and Jones’s representatives were discussing a new contract. Those talks now appear stalled. It’s not clear why they have stopped, but that leaves Liverpool choosing between a discounted sale and the possibility of losing a player in his prime for no fee.
Here’s the thing: against reported prices for Premier League midfielders such as Elliot Anderson (£100m) and Sandro Tonali (£75m), Inter’s offer looks like a bargain. But selling Jones now would leave Liverpool needing to find a replacement, and that could be an expensive distraction during a summer when the squad already needs attention.
The club is reportedly considering spending more than £86m on RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande. Replacing Jones as well could consume a substantial share of the budget at current prices for top midfielders. Liverpool may be right to resist Inter’s bid; the numbers don’t explain how they’d manage the squad if Jones stays without renewing, though.
Liverpool believe Academy graduate Jones is worth closer to £35m. The club has no interest in selling below its valuation.
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Liverpool have more to lose than a transfer fee
Curtis Jones has a credible reason to consider Inter Milan: after 228 appearances across seven seasons, he still hasn’t secured a regular starting place. The Serie A champions seem to see a player they can develop into a Scott McTominay-style success. But with the clubs far apart on his value, a move is hardly settled. Liverpool should give him the chance to make his case under Andoni Iraola. The new manager’s arrival gives Jones, like everyone at Anfield, a reset. He could earn a regular role in a reshaped midfield—and at 25, a fresh run in the team might change how he sees a move to Italy. The data doesn’t tell us whether he’s already made up his mind. There’s a practical case for keeping him, too. Liverpool were short on squad depth last season, have added just one player this summer, and have already lost Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate. Letting Jones become another departure would leave a gap that could be hard to fill, especially at current transfer prices. Liverpool need another midfielder regardless; Trey Nyoni’s development is one to watch, but it doesn’t settle the Jones question. The reported figures sharpen the choice. Liverpool value Jones at £35m, while a fee of £21.7m would be a poor return for a home-grown player with his experience. With just over a year left on his contract, though, the club may have limited room to hold out if he’s determined to go. If Inter want him, they should make a serious offer. Jones also represents something beyond squad depth: he’s the remaining local heartbeat in this Liverpool side. If he leaves, Iraola will need to consider which young local players can carry that connection forward. For Liverpool, keeping Jones through the season looks like the strongest option; for Jones, Inter may offer the starting role he hasn’t found at home. Those interests don’t necessarily align.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page