Inter Milan have indicated they are willing to pay £30million for Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, but Liverpool are holding out for at least £35million for the 25-year-old.
The approach was made through intermediaries. Liverpool had already dismissed Inter’s previous offer of £21.75million.
Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio had acknowledged the club’s interest earlier this summer, saying the club was paying attention to Jones and had not hidden that fact.
Jones has been a squad player at Anfield in recent seasons, playing behind central midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz. He has one year remaining on his contract.
Should Inter sign Jones, he would join John Stones at the San Siro. The former Manchester City defender, who played a key role for England at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, completed a free transfer to Inter earlier this week.
Liverpool are preparing for their first season under new manager Andoni Iraola, who replaced Arne Slot after Slot was sacked at the end of last campaign. The club have so far signed centre-half Jeremy Jacquet from Stade Rennais and left winger Victor Munoz from Osasuna.
Liverpool are also in talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a deal for Bradley Barcola, and have received enquiries for fringe players Luke Chambers, Lewis Koumas, Calum Scanlon and Ifeanyi Ndukwe, all of whom attracted interest during the club’s tour of the USA.
