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Liverpool have reportedly refused a second formal bid from Inter Milan for midfielder Curtis Jones, holding firm on their £35 million asking price as the Italian club intensifies its pursuit of the Anfield academy graduate. Despite Jones entering the final year of his current contract, the Reds are not prepared to sanction a deal below their valuation.

Inter Milan’s latest offer, believed to be around €25 million (£21.7 million; $28.7 million) according to The Athletic, once again fell short of Liverpool’s expectations. This was the Serie A champions’ second attempt to sign the 25-year-old midfielder this summer, but the proposal was immediately dismissed. Liverpool’s hierarchy has made it clear that unless Inter significantly increase their bid, there is no realistic chance of a transfer. Senior figures at Anfield insist they would rather risk losing Jones for free next summer than accept a cut-price deal now.

Liverpool’s stance is guided by recent market precedents that justify their valuation. The club is seeking around £35 million for Jones, drawing comparisons to the amount Tottenham Hotspur paid Atletico Madrid for Conor Gallagher in January. Additionally, they have pointed to the £52 million transfer of Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton & Hove Albion to Tottenham, even though the defender also had just one year left on his contract. Such examples reinforce Liverpool’s position as they look to maintain consistency in their transfer dealings. Inter Milan, meanwhile, are exploring ways to generate additional funds as they continue to prioritise Jones as a key midfield target.

Jones, a Liverpool native who progressed through the club’s Kirkby academy, has made 228 senior appearances since debuting in 2019. He featured in 49 matches across all competitions during the 2025-26 campaign but started only 28 of them, leading to frustration over limited game time. Toward the end of the season, he was even deployed as a makeshift right-back. Talks over a contract extension have since stalled, and there are currently no active negotiations. According to The Athletic, Liverpool remain open to discussing a new deal if both sides can agree on terms, but the ongoing impasse has encouraged Inter’s continued interest.

Inter Milan’s pursuit of Jones dates back to the January transfer window, when their initial proposal for a loan with an option to buy was swiftly rejected by Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes. Despite the setback, the Nerazzurri have remained persistent, considering Jones an ideal fit for a squad that dominated Italian football last season. However, their ability to increase their bid may depend on completing other transfers, such as a potential Premier League move for Davide Frattesi, which could free up additional funds. Unless that happens, it appears that Jones will remain at Anfield for the final year of his contract.