Curtis Jones nears Inter Milan move as Liverpool place faith in McConnell

Curtis Jones appears to be approaching the end of a Liverpool journey that began when he joined the club’s academy at the age of nine.

Inter Milan are reportedly close to completing a deal for the England international, who is entering the final season of his contract at Anfield. A transfer would bring to a close an association spanning almost two decades and leave Liverpool with an important decision over how to replace his experience, versatility and homegrown status.

For Jones, the attraction of regular football in Italy is clear. For Liverpool, the calculation is more complicated. Selling an established midfielder before his contract expires would protect the club from losing him without a fee, but it would also reduce the depth available to head coach Andoni Iraola.

Curtis Jones prepares to leave his boyhood club

Jones has made 228 senior appearances for Liverpool after progressing through the academy. During that time, he has helped his boyhood club win two Premier League titles, two Carabao Cups, the FA Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

His Liverpool career has contained moments of unmistakable quality. Jones is comfortable receiving possession in crowded areas, can carry the ball through midfield and has the technical security to operate in several roles. Establishing himself as an automatic starter, however, has proved more difficult.

Inter first attempted to sign Curtis Jones in January, but Liverpool were unwilling to sanction a mid-season departure. The Italian club maintained its interest and now appears close to securing the 25-year-old.

Jones missed Liverpool’s final two pre-season friendlies, although his earlier absence against Monaco was reportedly described as an injury precaution. An agreement is now said to be close, with the Press Association reporting that the proposed deal is worth approximately £30 million.

Should the move be completed, Jones would join fellow England internationals John Stones and Djed Spence at Inter. It would also offer him an opportunity to revive his international prospects after failing to add to his six senior caps since June 2025.

Liverpool consider life without an experienced midfielder

Losing Curtis Jones would remove a player who understands Liverpool’s demands and can cover several positions. His ability to play as a conventional central midfielder, an advanced number eight or in wider areas has frequently made him useful during congested periods.

Alexis Mac Allister has also been linked with a departure, increasing the scrutiny on Liverpool’s midfield planning. Yet the club are not currently expected to make an immediate replacement signing if Jones completes his move to Inter.

That position could change if a suitable opportunity emerges before the transfer window closes. Liverpool have long preferred to pursue players who fit a specific sporting and financial profile, rather than entering the market simply because a squad vacancy has appeared.

Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton has repeatedly been linked with Liverpool, but a price in the region of £100 million would present an obvious obstacle. There is also no firm indication that Liverpool intend to make a move for him during this window.

Instead, Jones’s departure could create a pathway for Trey Nyoni and James McConnell. Both would offer potential rather than proven senior experience, but Liverpool appear willing to give their younger midfielders an opportunity to earn meaningful minutes.

McConnell and Nyoni offered first-team opportunity

The original source, Lewis Steele’s report for the Daily Mail, indicates that Liverpool’s preference is to promote from within. Steele wrote:

“Will they sign a midfielder to replace Jones? As it stands, no – though that could change if a deal becomes available in the last week of the market.

“Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton has long been linked with a move but the Selhurst Park club would want a huge fee of around £100m – and there is no indication Liverpool are interested anyway.

“Many other midfielders have been mooted but it seems more likely than not that the Reds do not sign a midfielder this window. That would mean two youngsters will be promoted.

“Trey Nyoni, who excelled in pre-season and was perhaps Liverpool’s stand-out player on the American tour, is pushing for more minutes and looks more than capable.

“The 19-year-old has also had plenty of interest. It is understood James McConnell’s loan move to Championship side Preston has been kiboshed – for now at least – by Liverpool in the last days despite regular game-time being promised. North End had a deal agreed and met the player but Liverpool pulled the plug.”

He added: “James McConnell’s proposed loan to Preston was cancelled by Liverpool, with McConnell having impressed Iraola.

“The young midfielder, who spent time at Ajax last season, knocked on the door of boss Andoni Iraola last Friday and was told he is part of his plans after impressing in training and there will be minutes for him in the first team this year.

“McConnell also had a meeting with sporting director Richard Hughes, who stressed there is no official pecking order in the midfield so both Nyoni and McConnell can push for minutes.”

McConnell’s proposed move to Preston being stopped is particularly revealing. A loan offering regular Championship football would ordinarily represent a logical stage in his development. Liverpool’s intervention suggests the club now see an immediate first-team purpose for him.

Nyoni, meanwhile, strengthened his case during pre-season. His composure and willingness to receive the ball under pressure marked him out as one of Liverpool’s most encouraging performers on their American tour.

Transfer decision carries opportunity and risk

Promoting McConnell and Nyoni would preserve resources while demonstrating Liverpool’s commitment to developing young players. It would also give Iraola two energetic midfielders whose roles could expand as the season progresses.

There is nevertheless a difference between possessing talent and being ready to replace Curtis Jones across an entire campaign. Liverpool will have to manage that transition carefully, particularly when injuries, suspensions and fixture congestion begin to test the squad.

McConnell appears to have been given genuine encouragement rather than merely retained as emergency cover. Richard Hughes’s message that there is no fixed midfield hierarchy offers both youngsters a clear incentive. Training performances and tactical suitability could determine opportunities more than reputation.

Jones’s anticipated departure would carry emotional weight because of his long connection with Liverpool. It would also represent a significant professional choice. At Inter, he could find the responsibility and consistent playing time that have sometimes eluded him at Anfield.

Liverpool, meanwhile, would be placing considerable trust in McConnell and Nyoni. That approach may look bold, but it is consistent with a club prepared to create space for emerging players when senior pathways become available. Whether it proves sufficient will depend on how quickly both youngsters can convert promise into reliable Premier League performances.