Liverpool are facing three different scenarios over the future of Curtis Jones
Curtis Jones of Liverpool(Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Curtis Jones could play his final game for Liverpool this weekend. The versatile midfielder has been linked with a move away from Anfield this summer, with the 25-year-old moving into the last year of his contract at L4.
Jones, who joined Liverpool at nine years of age, has made 227 appearances for the Reds. However, his contract situation coupled with rumours of a strained relationship with Liverpool boss Arne Slot, and a lack of minutes in his preferred position of centre-midfield, means he could now be on the move, with Inter Milan one of the clubs to have been linked with signing him.
The latest news surrounding Jones sees Liverpool presented with a good, bad and swap deal option for the midfielder’s potential exit.
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The good news for Liverpool is that they could be in a position to demand £35million for Jones. Conor Gallagher’s move from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid in August 2024 for the same fee seems to have set a precedent for similar transfers across the continent.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot with midfielder Curtis Jones(Image: Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images)
Despite Jones having only 12 months left on his contract, Inter, who have just won Serie A and will be well backed in the transfer window this summer, will likely view £35m as a suitable price for Jones.
Bad news
The bad news for Liverpool could have stemmed from Jones’s support for Mohamed Salah’s latest social media post. The Liverpool icon released a bombshell statement on Saturday in which he claimed the club needs to ‘recover their identity’ following the 4-2 loss at Villa Park last Friday – Liverpool’s 19th defeat of the season.
Curtis Jones’ response to Mo Salah’s post on Instagram
Jones simply responded with a clapping emoji in the post’s comments, which was seen as a veiled pop at Slot’s tenure. The midfielder’s backing of the post could further fracture his relationship with Liverpool’s Dutch coach, leaving Jones’ position at the club untenable.
The Reds could face a reality where Jones simply has to leave the club, as long as Slot is still in charge this summer, which would heavily weaken their bargaining power when it comes to demanding a big fee for Jones.
Swap deal
Despite playing more minutes under Slot this season than in any previous campaign, Jones has played in a number of positions. One of which is at right-back, a problematic position this season due to the injuries of Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong.
Inter Milan wing-back Denzel Dumfries(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool have long been linked with a swoop for Inter full-back Denzel Dumfries, who has a £22m release clause in his contract. A swap deal that sees Jones head to the San Siro and Dumfries make his way to Anfield could be the best resolution for all parties.
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