Curtis Jones is closing in on a switch to Inter Milan after Liverpool agreed to a package worth around 35m euros (£30m) for the 25-year-old midfielder. The fee is structured as 30m euros (£25.7m) upfront with a further 5m euros (£4.3m) in add-ons, and Liverpool have secured a 10% sell-on clause in the agreement.
Jones is expected to fly to Italy on Thursday to undergo a medical before the transfer is finalised. According to ESPN, the two clubs have now reached a verbal agreement, with the move described as being in its final stages rather than mere speculation, and Yahoo Sports reports he has been given permission to travel for the medical examination this week.
How did the deal come together?
Liverpool had rejected an earlier verbal offer from Inter of 25m euros (£21.7m) in June, valuing Jones at closer to £35m given he had only one year remaining on his contract at the time. The Premier League club subsequently indicated that a package broadly similar to the roughly £30m Inter paid Tottenham for Djed Spence would likely be enough to strike a deal.
Inter's interest in Jones is not new. The Serie A champions had already tried to sign him in January, proposing a loan with an option to buy, an approach Liverpool turned down at the time. Separate reporting from Empire of the Kop in August suggested Inter had made Jones a priority midfield target, underlining that the pursuit had been sustained throughout the summer rather than a late opportunistic move. One report from Yahoo Sports adds that personal terms have already been agreed between player and club, leaving the medical as the final formality.
Liverpool have separately moved away from interest in Spence himself, with the club recently confirming it will not pursue a deal for the full-back as it focuses on other transfer business, according to our earlier coverage of Liverpool's transfer priorities this summer.
What is Jones's history at Liverpool?
Jones joined Liverpool's academy at the age of nine and made his first-team debut at 17 under Jurgen Klopp in 2019, going on to make 228 appearances for the club. Last season he featured 49 times across all competitions but started only 18 Premier League matches, finding it difficult to hold down a regular place in midfield under manager Arne Slot.
He is understood to be seeking a fresh challenge abroad. Should the move go through, Jones would become the third English player to join Inter this summer, following John Stones and Spence. Stones' arrival followed advanced talks reported in our earlier coverage of Inter's pursuit of the former Manchester City defender, who was said to be closing in on a free transfer after leaving City, with Chelsea and Juventus also having shown interest before Inter took the lead in that race.
What happens next?
Assuming Jones passes his medical in Italy and the necessary paperwork is completed, Yahoo Sports reports the transfer is expected to be finalised over the coming weekend.
Key Facts
- Reported fee: 35m euros (£30m) total — 30m euros (£25.7m) upfront plus 5m euros (£4.3m) in add-ons
- Liverpool retain a 10% sell-on clause
- Jones, 25, made 228 appearances for Liverpool since his 2019 debut
- He is set to become the third English player to join Inter this summer, after John Stones and Djed Spence
- A medical in Italy is scheduled for Thursday, with completion expected this weekend
