Liverpool have rejected two offers from Inter Milan for midfielder Curtis Jones this year, with the latest bid of £21.7m falling well short of the club's £35m valuation. The standoff highlights the delicate balance between a homegrown player's desire for regular football and a club's determination not to sell on the cheap.
Curtis Jones, 25, came through Liverpool's academy, joining at age nine before turning professional in 2018. He has one year left on his current deal, and no contract negotiations are underway. Inter Milan first approached Liverpool in the January 2026 window with a loan-to-buy proposal, which was rejected. In June 2026, they made a verbal offer of €25m (£21.7m), and then a second formal bid of £21m – both turned down. The Reds value Jones at £35m, pointing to Conor Gallagher's move from Atletico Madrid to Tottenham for a similar fee as a benchmark. Sporting director Richard Hughes is said to have little appetite for further talks, as Inter have indicated they will not exceed £21.7m.
“Explains why Liverpool rejected Inter Milan's bids for Curtis Jones and the transfer standoff.”
This situation arises from the combination of a player entering his final contract year and a selling club's desire to avoid a cut-price exit. Liverpool have been busy in the summer 2026 transfer window, signing Spain winger Victor Munoz from Osasuna for €40m (£34.5m) and pursuing Ivory Coast teenager Yann Diomande with a £86m package. That spending power reduces the urgency to sell Jones, but the midfielder's reduced contract length weakens Liverpool's negotiating position. Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey has suggested that a move to Serie A, like Scott McTominay's switch to Napoli, could help Jones fulfil his potential and become a regular England player.
For UK readers, this saga matters because it involves a local academy graduate at one of England's biggest clubs. If Jones leaves, it would be a rare departure of a homegrown player in his prime. The outcome could also influence how Premier League clubs handle players entering the final year of their contracts, and whether Italian clubs can prise talent away from English sides at a discount.
Q: Why is Liverpool rejecting Inter's bids for Curtis Jones? Liverpool value Jones at £35m, based on comparable transfers like Conor Gallagher's move to Tottenham. Inter's offers have been around £21-22m, so the Reds consider them unserious and are holding out for a higher fee.
Q: How long does Curtis Jones have left on his Liverpool contract? Jones has one year remaining on his current deal, which expires in 2027. No negotiations over a new contract are currently taking place.
Q: Could Curtis Jones leave Liverpool this summer? It's possible. With only one year left on his contract and no renewal talks, Liverpool may sell to avoid losing him for free next year. However, they are demanding £35m, and the only known interest is from Inter Milan, who have not met that price.
What happens next is uncertain. Inter could increase their offer, or other clubs might enter the race. Jones will likely want clarity before the new season, and Liverpool may reassess if no improved bid arrives. The transfer window remains open, and Jones's situation could shift depending on Liverpool's other dealings and World Cup performances.