Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has reportedly turned down Andoni Iraola’s request to sign a new contract, with the England international said to be prioritising a move to Inter Milan this summer.
Jones, whose current deal expires in 2027, has been with Liverpool since joining the club’s academy in 2010. He has gone on to make 228 appearances, scoring 22 goals and providing 25 assists while helping the Reds win two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two EFL Cups.
According to reports from Italy, Jones is keen on a switch to Inter and has already rejected interest from Nottingham Forest. Liverpool are open to selling the 25-year-old but are holding out for around €40 million (£34.2m), a valuation Inter are currently unwilling to meet.
The report claims Inter hope Liverpool will lower their asking price rather than risk losing Jones for free when his contract expires. Despite Iraola personally encouraging him to commit his future to Anfield, Jones is said to have made up his mind, with Inter remaining his preferred destination.
Jones was also in the spotlight during Liverpool’s recent pre-season win over Wrexham after a heated exchange with teammates Dominik Szoboszlai and Kostas Tsimikas following the final whistle. The disagreement reportedly stemmed from the captain’s armband being passed to Tsimikas instead of Jones during the match.
Earlier this summer, Iraola publicly praised Jones, describing him as a “great, great player” and expressing his hope that the midfielder would remain at Liverpool.
The Liverpool boss is also believed to be impressed by academy graduates James McConnell and Lewis Koumas, with both youngsters now reportedly in contention for greater involvement in the first-team squad after catching Iraola’s eye during pre-season.
