Curtis Jones Eyes Inter Milan Exit as Reds Face Fresh Summer Exodus

Liverpool face another potential departure from their midfield ranks, with Curtis Jones believed to be contemplating his future away from Anfield as Inter Milan intensify their efforts to secure his signature.

The Merseysiders have already seen Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate depart on free transfers this summer, whilst Mohamed Salah is poised to exit the club bound for Saudi Arabia or elsewhere. Now Jones, Alisson, and Alexis Mac Allister find themselves among those linked with moves away from the northwest.

Inter Milan have made their interest in the England midfielder abundantly clear, with the Serie A outfit looking to strike a deal worth approximately €20m. However, a considerable gap remains between what the Italian club are willing to pay and Liverpool's asking price.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed that whilst Jones himself is enthusiastic about the prospect of joining Inter, negotiations have stalled over finances. The Nerazzurri are opening at €20m (£17.3m), whereas Liverpool are demanding in excess of €30m (£25.9m), potentially with add-ons and a sell-on clause factored in.

"Inter are very interested in Curtis Jones," Romano explained on his YouTube channel. "They're starting around €20m, Liverpool want more than €30m, maybe including a sell-on clause and bonuses, so there's still a big gap between Inter and Liverpool, but the deal is on."

The 23-year-old has been receptive to the move, with reports suggesting he's already sought advice from Inter's Federico Chiesa about life in Italy. Romano added that negotiations have simply slowed rather than stalled, with Inter needing to sort their own outgoings before accelerating proceedings.

"Curtis Jones remains a very high name on Inter's list, their favourite since January and the player is completely open," Romano stated. "We need to make the numbers add up."

Gazzetta Dello Sport has now revealed that Inter have moved ahead of the curve by reaching a pre-emptive agreement with Jones over salary and contract length—a tactical manoeuvre that could prove decisive if the fee negotiations eventually reach a resolution.

Jones appears to view his time at Liverpool as complete, seeking fresh challenges elsewhere. Former England striker Emile Heskey believes the midfielder possesses the calibre to succeed in Serie A, drawing comparisons to Scott McTominay's successful transition to Napoli.

"I'd be very surprised if he's not pushing for a new contract," Heskey told LiveFootballTickets. "So there's something there that tells me that they're not willing to offer him what he wants. He's got ambitions to be a regular England player, so he needs to be playing regularly."

Heskey highlighted Jones's versatility and leadership qualities as assets that could flourish in Italian football, much as McTominay's profile has been rehabilitated since his move south. "He's got so much ability to lead and he could play in several different positions," Heskey added. "He's capable of it."