The last time Curtis Jones played at the San Siro, he identified why Liverpool's tactics succeeded. "I think it works because I am playing," he said. That, perhaps, is Jones, cheeky and confident, but also a footballer with the capacity to exert an influence.
It was last December, three days after Mohamed Salah's explosive interview at Leeds, with Liverpool omitting their greatest goalscorer for decades from the squad they took to Italy, with Arne Slot's side having lost nine of their previous 15 games. They beat the 2025 Champions League finalists on their home turf. Jones was the best player on the pitch.
So it scarcely felt a coincidence when, about seven weeks later, Internazionale responded by trying to take Jones on loan. They failed, as they did with a €25m bid in June. A €35m (£30m) offer in August will represent a case of third time lucky, Inter landing their man.
Curtis Jones was the best player on the pitch when Liverpool beat Inter in December (Getty)
Liverpool have not quite got their valuation – they wanted €40m (£34m) a few weeks ago – and, in a summer when prices have skyrocketed in the midfield market, with Mateus Fernandes going for £85m, Sandro Tonali £100m and Elliot Anderson £116m, there is the sense Inter are getting a bargain in Jones.

#curtis #beat