Liverpool and Inter Milan in talks over Curtis Jones deal

Curtis Jones on the verge of leaving Liverpool for Inter Milan

Curtis Jones is closing in on a move from Liverpool to Inter Milan, with negotiations between the clubs ongoing. The 25-year-old midfielder, who has been at Liverpool since the age of nine, looks set to end his 16-year association with the club in a deal reported to be in the region of £30m.

The Press Association understands that Inter, the reigning Serie A champions, have been in talks with Liverpool over the England international. The Independent reports that Liverpool and Inter have entered negotiations, with dialogue ongoing and no deal yet agreed. The Guardian reports that Inter submitted an offer of €30m rising to €35m (£30m), and that negotiations commenced on Wednesday.

A number of sources indicate that the deal is close. TalkSPORT understands that Jones is on the brink of a £30m move, with fresh talks between the clubs beginning on Wednesday and terms being thrashed out. The Liverpool Echo also reports that negotiations have picked up and a deal is believed to be very close.

However, there is some disagreement over the precise state of the transfer. While transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has reportedly revealed that a verbal agreement has been reached between the clubs, with a medical being planned for the midfielder, The Athletic has maintained that an agreement is not yet in place, as noted by Yardbarker. James Pearce of The Athletic has written that there is a 'sense of inevitability' that Jones would leave this summer.

Why the move is happening

Jones, a boyhood Liverpool fan who joined the club's academy at under-nine level, has made 228 first-team appearances for Liverpool, winning six trophies. However, last season he made 49 appearances in all competitions but started only 28 of those, and ended the campaign at right-back. The Independent reports that Jones did not start as often as he wanted in his preferred central midfield role.

The 25-year-old has one year left on his contract, and there has been no agreement over an extension. Talks over a new deal had stalled, according to The Athletic via Yardbarker, and Liverpool face the risk of losing him on a free transfer next summer. The Guardian notes that Liverpool valued Jones closer to €40m, but that figure is unlikely to be reached given his contract situation.

Under new head coach Andoni Iraola, who replaced Arne Slot, Jones has competition for places in central midfield. The Independent reports that Iraola has preferred a partnership of Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai during pre-season. The Liverpool Echo also notes that Alexis Mac Allister, Gravenberch and Szoboszlai have been preferred, and that homegrown youngster Trey Nyoni impressed on the pre-season tour.

Jones reportedly cut a frustrated figure at times last season under Slot, as reported by The Guardian. There have also been reports of a pre-season disagreement with Szoboszlai. The Independent reports that Jones appeared irritated when Szoboszlai did not pass him the captain's armband when substituted in the win over Wrexham, while talkSPORT describes an argument after the armband went to Kostas Tsimikas instead.

Jones missed Liverpool's final two friendlies against Monaco and Como with a hip problem, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Inter's long pursuit

Inter first showed interest in Jones at the end of the January transfer window, according to The Independent. They returned in June with a €25m bid that Liverpool rejected, as reported by multiple outlets, including The Guardian and The Independent. The Guardian reports that intermediaries representing Inter contacted Liverpool in July with a proposal to pay up to €35m.

Inter's willingness to pay Tottenham €35m for Djed Spence is seen as a benchmark figure for the Jones deal, according to The Guardian. The Independent also notes that Liverpool would probably agree to a sum of around €35m (£30m), the amount Inter paid for Spence.

Jones would become the third England international to join Inter this summer, after John Stones and Djed Spence. Stones arrived on a free transfer after his Manchester City contract expired, while Spence was signed from Tottenham for an estimated £30m, as reported by talkSPORT. Inter have also sold David Frattesi to Lazio, according to the Liverpool Echo, making room for new signings.

Expert view: 'An underrated player'

TalkSPORT sought the opinion of European football expert Andy Brassell, who believes Inter are getting an intelligent and versatile player. Brassell told talkSPORT.com that Jones 'can cover a few different positions' and is 'an immensely intelligent footballer'. He added that Jones is 'a little bit miscast' and 'underrated', saying: 'I don't think people fully grasp just what a smart footballer he is.'

Brassell also suggested the move could benefit Jones, saying: 'Inter have been interested in him for a long time. He's been interested in this move for a long time. I think he knows what it's going to do for him and I think it will do a lot for him.'

Jones's England career and what comes next

Jones has won six caps for England and was part of Thomas Tuchel's first two camps as England boss. However, according to breakingnews.ie, he has not added to his six caps since last June's matches against Andorra and Senegal. A move to Italy could help kick-start his international career.

His departure would also have implications for Liverpool. James Pearce of The Athletic, quoted via Yardbarker, wrote: 'Losing the only Scouser who is established in [Andoni] Iraola's first-team squad will be a source of regret for many supporters, but with Jones keen to leave, Liverpool had little option but to sanction his exit.'

Yardbarker notes that Jones is the only local player in Liverpool's senior squad. The club has already seen Mo Salah, Andy Robertson, and Ibrahima Konate leave on free transfers this year, and the Liverpool Echo reports that Liverpool is reluctant to allow another high-profile player to walk away as a free agent.

Should the deal be completed, it would include a ten per cent sell-on clause, according to talkSPORT.

Liverpool open their Premier League campaign at Newcastle on Sunday, and Andoni Iraola has spoken at his unveiling about the importance of keeping the Toxteth-born midfielder and of having a local identity in his team, as reported by The Guardian. However, with Jones keen to leave and Inter's determined pursuit, the move appears increasingly likely.