What's next for Jones as Inter Milan step up interest?

Curtis Jones' current Liverpool deal expires in 2027

It was just under two years ago when Curtis Jones spoke duringLiverpool's pre-season tour in America about how working with Arne Slot was probably the happiest he had been in terms of a style of play.

That wasn't a dig at Jurgen Klopp, who Jones credited for changing him from a boy to a man,. rather an indication that he preferred playing for a side where the midfielders were the heart of a team.

A few months later, theLiverpoolmidfielder made his England debut under Lee Carsley. capped it off with a memorable back-heel flick in Athens for his first international goal.

So when Thomas Tuchel named his first England squad in March 2025. it came as little surprise to anyone that Jones was included.

That 2024-25 season. whereLiverpoolwon the Premier League title, was the campaign where the boy from Toxteth truly took the next step.

Yet a year on, the 25-year-old finds himself with a decision to make.

Jones' currentLiverpooldeal expires next summer. though he has been in talks over a new contract for several months, an extension is yet to be agreed.

If you asked Jones last summer, he would have expected to become an integral part of theLiverpoolside. would certainly have had genuine ambitions of going to the World Cup.

Instead, he went to Los Angeles on vacation before the tournament began. was at the Monaco Grand Prix last week.

Under Slot, Jones struggled to become a regular starter in the heart of midfield - which is what he wants to be -. finished the campaign primarily as an emergency right-back forLiverpool.

By the end of Slot's tenure. Jones was posting a clapping emoji under Mohamed Salah's social media post which called forLiverpoolto change their style of play.

Crucial to Jones' next steps will be those initial discussions with new boss Andoni Iraola. figuring out where he stands under the Spaniard.

ForLiverpool, they certainly do not want to lose the only Scouser in the first-team but if Jones wants out. a suitable offer in the range of £35m is made, the understanding is that they will not stand in his way.

Put simply, they can sell now and generate a profit on a home-grown asset.

The question is whether such a fee will be paid when Jones would be available for a free next summer.

It would be another failure onLiverpool's part, after losing Ibrahima Konate, Mohamed Salah. Andy Robertson on a free, if they were to let an academy graduate who has made more than 200 senior appearances leave in the same manner.

Jones was at the Monaco GP earlier this month

Inter Milan were interested in his availability in January,. earlier this month Pierre Ausilio, Inter's sporting director, said: "Curtis Jones - we are paying attention to him. We didn't hide. We understand what the developments will be."

Federico Chiesa went as far as tellingLa Gazettathat Jones asked him what it is like to live in Italy. Chiesa told him the weather was certainly better in Milan than it is inLiverpool.

The prospect is there. with Jones knowing that he would be a key part of an Inter side that sees him as one of their main priorities for the summer.

For Jones, whose close friend Anthony Gordon moved to Barcelona, perhaps the glamour of Milan is appealing.

Yet there is certainly a different dimension to this debate, given Jones' background and his own ambitions. His frank nature. willingness to take responsibility, as well as his versatility, are all attributes praised widely by those atLiverpool.

Jones stepped up to take the third penalty against PSG in the Champions League in 2025. after his spot-kick was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, he said it was all a part of his journey.

"I can live with missing, but I can't live without taking responsibility. I see myself as being a lad who wants to take risks. I want to be a lad who's relied on by the team, the staff, the fans,. I want to be a huge star," Jones told GQ in 2025.

From aLiverpoolperspective, they must also assess the value that Jones brings to the dressing room when it comes to understanding the club. the fanbase.

With a number of senior figures leaving this summer. the likes of Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez all on contracts that run out next summer, perhaps it would make sense for Iraola to see if there is a future with Jones when pre-season starts next month, before both parties can decide on next steps.

There is no doubt that Jones is a terrific asset to have in a squad. it's worth noting that he actually played more games last season than in any other campaign forLiverpool. But 21 of those 49 appearances came off the bench and he only started 10 Premier League games in midfield.

The question too is whether he would still be content with such a role?

"I want to be humble. not say things like I'm going to be captain and things like that but I want to be captain of the team," he told Sky Sports in December.

"I want to stay here all my life like the man I look up to in every way. That's Steven Gerrard and everybody knows that. If I could follow him, that would be great. I would never complain and I'd always have a smile on my face."

That much is enough to know about Jones' long-term ambitions but in the here. now,Liverpoolknow that it is imperative for a decision to be made this summer.

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