Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones nears £25m transfer to Inter Milan
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones is reportedly feigning a hip injury to force through a summer transfer to Inter Milan following prolonged negotiations.
The 23-year-old has been absent from the Reds’ recent pre-season fixtures against Leeds, Monaco and Como due to a cited medical complaint.
However, reports in the Italian media suggest this explanation is a ‘white lie’ designed to protect an impending move to the Serie A side.
Negotiations reach critical stage
The Italian giants have pursued the academy graduate throughout the summer and are now preparing an official bid worth £25.65m plus add-ons.
Liverpool previously rejected a £21.7m offer from the Nerazzurri in June, but speculation over the player’s future has only intensified.
Frustrations over the sluggish pace of talks have reportedly led the Merseyside club to lower their original £34m asking price to facilitate an agreement.
Time is becoming a crucial factor, with less than two weeks remaining in the current transfer window and the midfielder entering the final year of his contract.
Managerial stance contradicts Italian reports
Manager Andoni Iraola previously attributed the homegrown talent’s absence to a minor hip issue following a recent 3-2 defeat by Monaco.
“Curtis, he has trained every day but yesterday finished with issues in the hip,” Iraola said.
“It doesn’t look anything big but it didn’t make any sense to risk and those are the ones, more or less, closer to a return.”
Despite the ongoing transfer saga, the head coach had earlier expressed a strong desire to retain the local prospect.
“For me he is a great, great player and I hope he can continue with us and continue performing the way he has been performing,” he added.
Squad rebuild continues
An impending departure would mark another significant exit for Liverpool this summer, further testing the depth of their squad.
The club has reportedly already lost Ibrahima Konate, Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah on free transfers, significantly limiting their bargaining power.
Meanwhile, the prospective move would see the Scouse midfielder link up with English duo John Stones and Djed Spence in Milan.
Inter have paved the way for the signing by loaning Davide Frattesi to Lazio, freeing up vital space in their squad for the incoming arrival.