Report: €40m fee placed on Liverpool star ahead of potential summer exit
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Liverpool reject Inter Milan approach as £34m valuation sets Curtis Jones benchmark
Liverpool have made their position crystal clear over Curtis Jones after rejecting a second approach from Inter Milan, with the Premier League champions unwilling to entertain offers significantly below their valuation of the academy graduate.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAccording to reporting from The Athletic, Inter Milan’s latest verbal offer of around €25 million, equivalent to approximately £21.7 million, was swiftly dismissed by Liverpool. The Merseyside club are understood to value Jones at around €40 million, which equates to roughly £34 million, and have indicated there is little prospect of negotiations progressing unless that figure is met.
The stance underlines Liverpool’s belief that Jones remains a valuable asset despite uncertainty surrounding his long-term future at Anfield.
Photo: IMAGO
£34m valuation reflects Liverpool’s confidence
Liverpool’s asking price has raised eyebrows in some quarters, particularly given that Jones has entered the final year of his contract. However, those inside Anfield believe the valuation is entirely justified.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe club have pointed to recent market activity as evidence. Tottenham Hotspur paid Atletico Madrid around €40 million for Conor Gallagher in January, while Jan Paul van Hecke recently completed a move from Brighton & Hove Albion to Tottenham for a fee reported to be around £52 million despite also approaching the final year of his deal.
Liverpool’s hierarchy view Jones as a player with substantial Premier League pedigree, significant experience and room for further development. At 25, he is entering what should be the prime years of his career.
As a result, Liverpool would rather retain the midfielder for the 2026-27 season than accept a discounted fee this summer.
Inter Milan face growing challenge
Inter Milan’s admiration for Jones is not new. The Serie A champions attempted to secure his signature during the January transfer window when they proposed a loan move containing an option to buy.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThat approach was rejected immediately by sporting director Richard Hughes, and the latest bid has met a similar fate.
The Athletic reports that Liverpool have informed Inter Milan that a deal is highly unlikely unless there is a dramatic increase in their valuation. Sources close to the situation suggest Liverpool see no realistic pathway towards an agreement at the current figures being discussed.
Such a position strengthens Liverpool’s negotiating hand but also creates a dilemma for Inter Milan. The Italian giants clearly admire Jones, yet they now face the prospect of significantly increasing their offer if they wish to test Liverpool’s resolve.
Career crossroads approaching
Jones remains one of the most successful graduates of Liverpool’s Kirkby Academy in recent years.
Since making his senior debut in 2019, the Liverpool-born midfielder has amassed 228 appearances for the club. During the 2025-26 campaign he featured 49 times across all competitions, although only 28 of those appearances came as a starter.
His versatility became increasingly important as the season progressed. Jones even spent time operating at right-back, highlighting both his adaptability and willingness to serve the team’s needs.
However, a lack of consistent starts appears to have created frustration. Despite his importance within the squad, Jones has found it difficult to secure an undisputed place in Liverpool’s midfield.
That situation has inevitably fuelled speculation regarding his future.
AdvertisementAdvertisementContract uncertainty remains unresolved
One of the key factors behind the current uncertainty is Jones’ contract situation.
Discussions regarding a new deal have stalled, and there are presently no active negotiations taking place. Nevertheless, Liverpool have not closed the door on extending his stay.
As James Pearce reported for The Athletic, Liverpool would still be willing to explore a new contract if common ground can be found between the club’s offer and the player’s expectations.
That leaves several possible outcomes on the table. Jones could sign a new deal and remain part of Arne Slot’s plans, Inter Milan could return with an improved proposal closer to Liverpool’s £34m valuation, or Liverpool could ultimately take the gamble of keeping him for another season and risk losing him for nothing in 2027.
AdvertisementAdvertisementFor now, Liverpool’s message is unequivocal. Curtis Jones will not be leaving Anfield on the cheap, and any club hoping to prise him away will need to pay a premium for a player the club still regard highly.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
