The short version
- Inter Milan has agreed to pay Liverpool approximately £30 million for midfielder Curtis Jones.
- Jones signed a contract with the Italian club running until 2031, ending his long tenure at his boyhood team.
- The deal includes add-ons and a sell-on clause, reflecting negotiations over valuation after an initial rejection.
Inter Milan has completed the acquisition of Curtis Jones from Liverpool in a transaction valued at roughly £30 million. The agreement secures the services of the 25-year-old midfielder for the next several seasons, with his new contract extending through 2031. This transfer marks a significant shift for both clubs, as Inter strengthens its midfield options while Liverpool sees the departure of a player who has been part of their system since childhood.
The financial structure of the deal involves an initial payment of 30 million euros, supplemented by potential add-ons worth another 5 million euros. Liverpool had previously indicated that a package comparable to what Inter paid Tottenham Hotspur for Djed Spence would be necessary to facilitate a sale. The Premier League club had earlier rejected a verbal offer of 25 million euros in June, maintaining a valuation closer to £35 million for the academy graduate.
Jones’s journey with Liverpool began when he joined their youth setup at the age of nine. Over the course of 16 years, he progressed through the ranks to make his professional debut under manager Jurgen Klopp in 2019. In total, he has made 228 appearances for the club across all competitions. His recent season saw him feature in 49 matches, although he managed only 18 starts in the Premier League as he faced increased competition for a regular spot in the midfield under current manager Arne Slot.
The transfer process encountered delays earlier this year when Inter proposed a loan arrangement with an option to buy in January. Liverpool declined that initial approach, preferring to keep Jones for the remainder of the season. The eventual agreement includes a 10% sell-on clause negotiated by Liverpool, ensuring they will receive a portion of any future transfer fee if Inter sells Jones’s rights again.
Jones expressed enthusiasm about the move, citing his long-standing desire to join Inter Milan. He described the club as the perfect environment for the next phase of his career, acknowledging that while he is proud of his roots in Liverpool and his development there, he felt ready to take a new step. His social media farewell highlighted the personal significance of leaving after spending most of his life associated with one organization.
This signing continues Inter’s strategy of recruiting English talent this summer. Jones becomes the third player from England to join the Serie A champions in the current transfer window, following the arrivals of John Stones and Djed Spence. The influx of British players suggests a deliberate effort by Inter to tap into the depth and quality available in the Premier League market.
For Liverpool, losing Jones represents the end of an era for one of their most prominent homegrown talents. While the club retains financial upside through the sell-on clause, they must now look to other options to fill the void left in their midfield rotation. The departure underscores the challenges faced by top Premier League clubs in retaining academy graduates who reach the peak of their careers.
The transfer concludes a period of uncertainty for Jones, who had one year remaining on his previous contract. With the deal finalized, attention now shifts to how he will integrate into Inter’s squad and contribute to their campaigns in Italy and Europe. For Liverpool fans, it marks the conclusion of a long association with a player who embodied the club’s commitment to developing local talent.
As the 2026-27 season approaches, both clubs will assess the impact of this move. Inter gains an experienced midfielder familiar with high-pressure environments, while Liverpool secures a substantial fee that can be reinvested elsewhere. The transaction highlights the dynamic nature of the modern transfer market, where even long-serving academy products are subject to global demand.
Jones’s departure also reflects broader trends in football, where players increasingly seek new challenges after establishing themselves at their formative clubs. His statement about leaving as a man with a family of his own underscores the personal growth that accompanies such professional transitions. The move is likely to be viewed as a logical progression for both parties involved.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC Sport↗Inter complete £30m deal for Liverpool's Jones
