Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio has publicly confirmed the Italian club’s interest in Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, adding significant weight to a potential summer departure from Anfield.
The Serie A giants previously attempted to secure the academy graduate during the winter transfer window, but a deal failed to materialise. However, the Nerazzurri have maintained their pursuit ahead of the summer market, with first-team coach Cristian Chivu recently reinforcing the view to club executives that Jones represents the ideal addition to his midfield options.
The pursuit has now advanced from speculative to concrete, with Ausilio openly acknowledging Inter’s position regarding the 25-year-old.
“We’re keeping an eye on Curtis Jones,” Ausilio stated, in comments reported by Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari. “We haven’t hidden that. We understand what the developments will be.”
Valuation gap remains between clubs
The public admission follows previous discussions between Ausilio and Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes over a potential transfer. Despite the confirmed interest, a significant discrepancy in valuation persists between the two clubs.
Inter Milan intend to structure a package worth €20m (£17.1m) for the midfielder. Liverpool executives, however, value the player between €30m and €35m (£25.7m to £30m), creating a clear negotiation gap that the Italian side must bridge.
The dynamic of the negotiation shifts significantly due to the player’s contractual status. Jones, who made 49 appearances across all competitions during the 2025-26 campaign, enters the final 12 months of his contract this summer.
Without a fresh agreement on the horizon, Liverpool face a delicate decision regarding his long-term future under head coach Andoni Iraola.
The shadow of free transfers
Liverpool’s negotiating leverage risks weakening as the summer progresses, a scenario that triggers familiar anxieties on Merseyside following a series of high-profile departures.
The club saw Trent Alexander-Arnold depart for Real Madrid last summer after contract extension talks collapsed. A identical situation occurred this year with Ibrahima Konaté, who leaves Anfield on a free transfer, with Madrid again a touted destination.
Furthermore, Anfield officials are currently terminating the final year of Mohamed Salah’s contract to facilitate his free transfer this summer.
Having missed out on substantial transfer fees for key assets, the hierarchy will desperately wish to avoid a repeat scenario with Jones.
Inter stand ready to capitalise on any hesitation, while winger Federico Chiesa has added further context to the links, revealing he has already spoken with his Liverpool teammate about life in Italy.
Jones will seek clarity regarding his role within Iraola’s tactical plans before making a definitive decision on his future, but Inter’s official confirmation ensures this saga will form a central narrative of Liverpool’s summer window.
