Inter Milan's Jones Gambit Fails as Liverpool Demand Contract Extension Before Any Exit

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has pulled back the curtain on Liverpool's January dealings, exposing a standoff between the Merseysiders and Inter Milan over midfielder Curtis Jones that could have serious ramifications come the summer.

The Italian side had moved swiftly, getting personal terms "almost ready" with Jones and his representatives, but found themselves hitting a brick wall when they approached Liverpool about a loan move. The Reds simply won't entertain it—not unless Jones puts pen to paper on a fresh contract first.

Jones has found minutes hard to come by under Arne Slot, featuring in only ten of his 21 Premier League appearances from the start this season. A loan spell might have seemed the logical solution to get him regular football, but Liverpool are playing hardball. With his current deal stretching through to 2027, they're not about to let him walk out the door without tying him down further.

"The issue is that Jones has a contract at Liverpool until 2027, and Liverpool will not allow him to leave on loan unless he signs a new contract first," Romano explained on his YouTube channel. "At the moment, that stage has not been reached, so Liverpool are not approving his exit in this window."

Inter weren't the only club sniffing around Liverpool's business this window. Romano also confirmed that the Reds had held conversations with Sunderland regarding Netherlands international Lutsharel Geertruida, as they hunt defensive reinforcements following injuries to Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong. Bradley faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines, whilst Frimpong will be sidelined for several weeks, forcing Dominik Szoboszlai to deputise at right-back.

There was also speculation about Serie A defender Denzel Dumfries, but that line of enquiry proved equally fruitless. Liverpool made an approach about a loan arrangement, but Inter swiftly shut that down. With Dumfries currently injured and the Milan club unwilling to negotiate any temporary deal, nothing materialised.

"Liverpool asked about Dumfries only in the context of a potential loan," Romano stated. "There was no bid, no negotiation and no attempt to advance a permanent transfer. Dumfries is highly appreciated but he is injured, and Inter are not open to a loan deal under any circumstances."

For Jones, though, the clock is ticking. Romano reckons the situation could become genuinely problematic come the summer if nothing shifts. "If nothing happens now, the situation could become important in the summer, because the contract issue will need to be resolved," he said. "Otherwise, Curtis Jones could realistically leave in 2026."