Liverpool’s response to Inter Milan’s approach for Curtis Jones suggests the Premier League club are not prepared to entertain a quick sale of one of their homegrown midfield options. According to BBC Sport, the Serie A side made a verbal offer of €25m, worth about £21.7m, only for Liverpool to reject it.
Even with the transfer market still active, the decision is notable because Jones is the sort of player top clubs often prefer to keep unless the fee is clearly aligned with both his value and his role in the squad. For Liverpool, the issue is not simply whether a bid arrives, but whether it reflects the importance of preserving depth in midfield across a long season.
Why Liverpool’s stance matters
Jones has long been viewed as a useful squad piece because of his technical security, work rate and familiarity with Liverpool’s demands. In a side that must balance domestic and European commitments, players who can cover multiple midfield roles carry added value. That makes a relatively modest verbal offer easier to dismiss, especially if the club believe the player still has a role to play under Arne Slot.
From a supporter’s perspective, the rejection will likely be read as a sign that Liverpool are not looking to weaken the squad unless the numbers are exceptional. It also underlines a broader transfer truth: homegrown players are often difficult to replace, even when they are not automatic starters every week. Selling Jones would create another vacancy in a position where reliability and tactical understanding matter as much as raw talent.
What Inter Milan may be testing
Inter’s approach appears to have been an opening move rather than a final statement. Clubs often begin with verbal contact to gauge whether a deal is realistic before deciding whether to formalise an offer. In this case, Liverpool’s rejection sets the tone early and forces the Italian club to decide whether to improve their proposal or move on.
For Jones, the situation is a reminder that his profile remains attractive beyond Anfield. For Liverpool, it is a chance to show that they will not be pressured into selling a player who still offers squad value. Unless a stronger bid follows, the immediate message is clear: Jones is not available on the cheap.
As ever in transfer negotiations, the first offer is rarely the last word. But Liverpool’s refusal gives them control of the conversation and signals that any future talks will need to be on far firmer financial ground.
Source note: This article was prepared using publicly available information from BBC Sport and expanded with editorial context.
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