Full Breakdown
Liverpool Rejects Inter Milan’s Second Offer for Curtis Jones
6/22/2026, 11:26:39 PM
Transfer Standoff: Offer, Valuation, and Contract Context
Inter Milan have submitted a second verbal bid of €25 million (£21.7 million) for Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones. Liverpool have turned the offer down, insisting the player is worth roughly £35 million (some reports cite a £40 million benchmark). Jones, 25, has one year remaining on his current contract and could leave on a free transfer in the summer of 2026 if no agreement is reached.
Background: From Academy Prospect to First-Team Regular
Jones entered Liverpool’s academy at age nine and signed his first professional contract in 2018. He has made over 200 senior appearances, including 49 across all competitions in the 2025-26 season, and has captained the side on several occasions. Under former manager Arne Slot he was often deployed as an emergency right-back, limiting his starts in midfield.
Key Figures
- Curtis Jones – Liverpool midfielder, England international.
- Richard Hughes – Liverpool sporting director.
- Piero Ausilio – Inter Milan sporting director.
- Federico Chiesa – Inter forward who spoke with Jones about Italy.
- Andoni Iraola – Liverpool’s new head coach.
- Emile Heskey – Former Liverpool striker commenting on Jones’s contract ambitions.
Timeline of Negotiations
- January 2025 – Inter propose a loan with an option to buy; Liverpool reject.
- Early June 2025 – Inter submit a €25 million verbal offer; Liverpool reject.
- Mid-June 2025 – Inter make a second €25 million bid; Liverpool again reject, citing valuation gap.
Financial Gap: Valuations and Market Benchmarks
Liverpool’s stated price of £35-£40 million aligns with the €40 million fee Tottenham paid for Conor Gallagher earlier in the year. By contrast, Inter’s €25 million offer falls well below recent Premier League midfield fees (e.g., Elliot Anderson >£100 million, Jan Paul van Hecke £52 million). Liverpool argue that a sale at the current offer would breach the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules, as the fee would not constitute “pure profit” on an academy graduate.
Official Statements & Responses
Liverpool officials have publicly affirmed that any deal must meet their valuation and that they are prepared to risk losing Jones on a free transfer rather than accept a “cut-price” sale. Inter’s representatives have reiterated strong interest, emphasizing that they are monitoring the situation closely. Both clubs have indicated that negotiations are at an impasse until Inter raises its offer substantially.
Criticism & Opposition
Commentators note that Liverpool’s rigid stance may backfire, leaving them without compensation for a player who has been a homegrown staple. Inter’s repeated lowball bids have been described as “insulting” by several journalists, while some analysts argue that Liverpool’s valuation may be inflated relative to the broader midfield market.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact valuation: most cite £35 million, but the *Independent* and *Sports Illustrated* mention £40 million. The contract expiry is reported as summer 2026 in most outlets, yet *SI* references 2027. Initial Inter offers are reported as €20 million in one source and €25 million in others, creating uncertainty about the negotiation timeline.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Curtis Jones - we are paying attention to him. We didn't hide. We understand what the developments will be.” — Piero Ausilio, Inter Milan sporting director
- “ Federico Chiesa went as far as telling Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport that Jones asked him what it is like to live in Italy.” — Federico Chiesa, Inter forward
- “Liverpool have grown increasingly irritated by Inter's long-running pursuit of Curtis Jones and have shut down talks unless they significantly improve their offer, currently showing no indication of going above £21.7m.” — Paul Joyce, The Times
- “I'd be very surprised if he's not pushing for a new contract,” — Emile Heskey, former Liverpool striker
What’s Next
Liverpool have indicated that contract extension talks could resume later in the season if Jones’s role under Iraola improves and salary expectations align. Inter must submit a substantially higher offer to re-engage. Absent a deal, Jones is likely to leave on a free transfer in the summer of 2026, a scenario both clubs appear keen to avoid.
