Report: Liverpool hold firm stance and reject another bid for midfielder

Report: Liverpool hold firm stance and reject another bid for midfielder Curtis Jones transfer latest, Liverpool stand firm as Inter Milan fall short Liverpool have done the sensible thing and told Inter Milan to come back with proper money. According to talkSPORT , the Serie A club have seen a second approach for Curtis Jones knocked back, this time worth around £27m through intermediaries, after an earlier £21.6m offer was already dismissed. That tells you two things straight away. First, Inter want the player. Second, Liverpool are not in the mood to negotiate against themselves. The asking price is £30m, and with Jones still a useful squad option, homegrown, and entering what should be his peak years, there is no obvious reason for Liverpool to blink first. Inter Milan bid leaves Liverpool unmoved The key detail here is the club’s reaction. Liverpool reportedly saw the first proposal as “derisory” and “dismissed the second approach out of hand”. That language matters. It suggests irritation as much as caution, and it suggests the valuation has now hardened rather than softened. Jones is understood to be open to leaving Anfield this summer, and Inter have tracked him for months after another offer was rebuffed in January. Even so, Liverpool’s position is clear. If the bid does not reach £30m, they are prepared to keep him. In fact, the report says they would even be comfortable letting his contract run down and allowing him to leave on a free next summer rather than accepting a cut-price deal now. That may sound extreme, but it is often the right call when the market undervalues a player. Jones may not be a guaranteed starter, but replacement cost matters. You are not buying a credible Premier League midfielder, developed in-house, for peanuts. Andoni Iraola makes Curtis Jones stance clear Andoni Iraola has also made his feelings obvious, and they should carry weight. The new Liverpool head coach said: “I rate Curtis very highly.” He added: “For me, he is a great player. It’s very important he’s Scouse, that he’s from here. I also like the personality.” Photo: IMAGO Most importantly, Iraola went further than polite manager-speak. “I hope we can keep him, not only for this year, more time.” That is not vague encouragement. That is a direct message that he sees value in Jones beyond being a spare part. It also lines up with Liverpool’s broader stance. The club are understood to have no concerns over Jones’ attitude or professionalism, despite previous noise around his role and frustration over minutes. If there was any fear of a disruptive dressing room presence, this would be the moment to cash in. Instead, Liverpool appear relaxed. Curtis Jones future depends on value and role The sporting argument for a move is easy enough to understand. Jones found regular starts harder to come by last season with Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai ahead of him in the pecking order. He made 16 substitute appearances in the league, scored once and registered two assists across 34 Premier League matches. In Europe, he started only four Champions League games. That is not ideal for a 25-year-old who wants rhythm and responsibility. Jermaine Pennant made the point well on talkSPORT’s Inside Liverpool: “I just think sometimes you just need continuity to get into a regular rhythm to get your confidence up.” He also said: “For some reason, he doesn’t get the same chances that the others get.” Still, Liverpool are in no rush. If Inter want Curtis Jones, they know the figure. Pay the £30m, and this becomes a straightforward exit. Fall short, and the player stays, with a chance to convince Iraola and possibly even earn a new deal. From Liverpool’s side, that is a perfectly coherent position. Our View From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this feels absolutely right. Curtis Jones might not be first choice every week, but selling him below value would be poor business and poor squad management. At £21.6m, and even at £27m, Inter were trying their luck. Liverpool were right to shut it down. There is also something bigger here than pure numbers. Jones is one of our own. He understands the club, the city and the standards. Iraola’s words matter because they show he sees that too. When he says, “It’s very important he’s Scouse, that he’s from here,” supporters will connect with that immediately. If Jones wants a fresh challenge, fair enough. Not every academy player gets the career arc people imagine. But if he goes, it has to be on Liverpool’s terms. £30m for a homegrown midfielder with top-level experience is not excessive in this market, it is reasonable. There is still a good football case for keeping him as well. A new coach can change a player’s outlook very quickly. If Jones gets a proper run and a clearly defined role, he can still become a very important player in this squad. As fans, we would be delighted if he stayed, proved his worth and forced his way back into the picture. That outcome may yet be the best one for everyone.