Curtis Jones Set to Join Inter Milan: Liverpool's Final Chapter

Curtis Jones has made up his mind. Now it is up to Liverpool and Inter Milan to catch up.

The England international has already committed to joining the Serie A champions, with only a relatively small – but stubborn – gap in valuation stopping the move from being signed off. After years of promise and patches of influence at Anfield, Jones has accepted that his Liverpool story is nearing its final chapter and that the next one should be written in Italy.

Jones chooses San Siro over Premier League suitors

At 25, Jones has reached the stage where “potential” no longer satisfies anyone, least of all himself. Premier League interest has been strong: Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest have all checked in on his availability in recent months, sensing an opportunity around his contract situation.

They have been told, effectively, not to waste their time.

As revealed previously, Jones has informed those close to him that his preference is clear – he wants Inter. He wants a new league, a new culture, and the chance to test himself abroad for the first time. For a player who has grown up in the Liverpool bubble, it is a bold but calculated step.

That decision has sharpened the focus of the negotiations. Inter know the player is theirs if they can find common ground with Liverpool. Liverpool know they risk losing him for nothing in a year if they cannot.

€25m vs €30m: a narrow but stubborn divide

The numbers are straightforward. Inter have offered around €25m (£21m). Liverpool are holding out for closer to €30m (£25m), a figure they believe reflects Jones’ quality, experience and age.

Inter’s stance is shaped by the calendar. Jones is entering the final year of his contract, and the Italian champions see that as leverage. They do not feel compelled to stretch significantly beyond their current offer when they could, in theory, wait and strike a cheaper deal down the line.

Liverpool see it very differently.

The club have already been burned by recent high-profile departures on free transfers. Ibrahima Konate and Trent Alexander-Arnold have both walked away for nothing in the last 12 months, and sources are adamant that Liverpool are determined not to let another valuable asset slip through their fingers without a fee.

That recent history hangs over every conversation. It is why Liverpool are pushing hard to stay as close as possible to their valuation, even if there is an acceptance that some compromise will eventually be needed to get the deal done.

Chiesa’s influence and the lure of Serie A

Jones’ growing conviction about Italy has not formed in isolation. Federico Chiesa, his Liverpool teammate and former Juventus star, has played a quiet but important role in nudging him towards Serie A.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Chiesa lifted the lid on their conversations.

“Jones just asked me what life is like in Italy. I told him it’s great and the weather is better than Liverpool, which, aside from that, is a special place.

“Jones is really strong technically. Inter are right to think about him.”

That endorsement matters. Chiesa knows the league, knows the demands at the top end of Italian football, and clearly believes Jones would fit the rhythm and tactical nuance of Serie A. His words mirror a broader expectation within the game that the midfielder’s future now lies at San Siro.

Liverpool brace for change under Iraola

Inside Anfield, there is no sense of shock about Jones’ decision. Earlier in his career, Liverpool would have preferred to build around him, to see if he could evolve into a long-term pillar of their midfield. Time and squad evolution have shifted that picture.

The club recognise that the player is ready for a fresh challenge and are preparing accordingly. Under new boss Andoni Iraola, Liverpool’s midfield rebuild is already well advanced. Targets have been assessed, profiles drawn up, and the Jones situation is being treated as one part of a wider reshaping rather than an isolated headache.

Talks with Inter remain active. There is optimism from those close to the discussions that the gap can be bridged, that neither club will let a €5m difference derail a move everyone can see coming.

For Jones, the path is clear. He is focused on completing the switch from Merseyside to Milan, ready to trade the Kop for the Curva Nord and join the growing line of English players willing to step outside the Premier League’s comfort zone.

If Liverpool and Inter can finally agree on the price, the next time Jones walks out to a Champions League anthem, it may well be in black and blue.