Inter close in on £30m deal for Liverpool's Jones

WHAT HAPPENED
Inter Milan are close to agreeing a deal to sign Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones for about €35m (reported as £30m). Earlier this summer Liverpool turned down a verbal €25m (£21.7m) offer; the club had been valuing the 25-year-old nearer to £35m.

Reports from Italy suggest a verbal agreement may now exist, but both clubs have said there are still details to be finalised. Liverpool are prepared to sell if the package is similar to the roughly £30m Inter paid Tottenham for Djed Spence.

KEY CONTEXT
- Jones came through Liverpool’s academy after joining at age nine and made his first-team debut in 2019 under Jürgen Klopp.
- He has made 228 appearances for Liverpool overall. Last season he featured 49 times in all competitions but started only 18 Premier League matches and did not secure a regular midfield place under Arne Slot.
- Inter showed interest in January and proposed a loan with an obligation or option to buy then; Liverpool declined that approach.
- If the move goes through, Jones would become the third English player to join Inter this summer, following John Stones and Djed Spence. Jones has one year remaining on his current contract and is said to be keen on a new challenge.

WHY IT MATTERS
A transfer at around the reported fee would represent a significant sale for Liverpool while giving Jones an opportunity for a fresh start after limited Premier League starts last season. For Inter, adding a homegrown Liverpool academy graduate would continue their recruitment of English players this summer, following Stones and Spence.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether the reported verbal agreement is confirmed in a formal contract.
- The resolution of outstanding commercial or technical details both clubs say remain to be discussed.
- Any official announcements from Liverpool or Inter that will confirm fee structure and personal terms.

KEY FACTS
- Reported proposed fee: €35m (about £30m); a prior verbal bid of €25m (£21.7m) was rejected.
- Jones is 25 and has one year left on his Liverpool contract.
- Total Liverpool appearances: 228; last season: 49 appearances, 18 Premier League starts.
- Inter previously offered a loan-to-buy in January, which Liverpool rejected.
- Would be Inter’s third English signing this summer after John Stones and Djed Spence.