Liverpool's Summer Rebuild: Curtis Jones Departure Looms

Liverpool’s summer rebuild is gathering pace, and one of their own may be the next major departure – with Newcastle potentially holding the key.

Inter circle as Liverpool soften stance on Curtis Jones

Liverpool have already reshaped their squad with three new faces: Jeremy Jacquet, Ronald Araujo and Victor Munoz. Araujo’s arrival on loan from Barcelona, with a €55m option to buy, has shored up the defence and allowed the club to turn their attention to the flanks.

Targets are clear. Liverpool are pushing for PSG duo Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye to strengthen their wide options. If those deals land, the knock-on effect could be significant: Tottenham would likely get the nod to move for Cody Gakpo, one of the players viewed as expendable in this evolving squad.

Gakpo isn’t alone. The Athletic recently listed him alongside Federico Chiesa and Curtis Jones as players who could leave Anfield before the window shuts.

Jones’ situation is the most advanced. The 25-year-old is into the final year of his contract, with no extension talks underway. That has alerted Inter Milan, who have been chasing the midfielder since January and see him as a priority addition.

Inter have already had two bids rejected this summer, the highest at around €30m, with Liverpool initially holding out for €40m-€45m. The stance now looks to be softening.

Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano reports that Inter believe a deal can be done at €35m, roughly £30m. Writing on X, he stated that Inter have kept Jones as a “priority target” since May and now feel a move “could happen” at that fee. The Italian champions are ready to go back in – but only once they clear space in midfield.

That is where Newcastle United come in.

Newcastle’s midfield hunt could unlock Anfield exit

Inter want to move on Davide Frattesi before launching what they hope will be a decisive bid for Jones. Newcastle, suddenly flush with cash but short on midfielders, have emerged as a genuine solution.

The Magpies are searching for reinforcements after reluctantly selling Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal for £75m. Their attempts to restock have already hit turbulence: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg turned them down, while another key target, Joao Palhinha, is on course to join Aston Villa.

So attention has turned to Frattesi.

TEAMtalk revealed on Tuesday that Newcastle have been offered the 26-year-old Italy international. Inter’s price is set: €30m, around £26m. It’s a fee well within reach for Newcastle, who need a dynamic midfielder and have the budget to move quickly.

If they do, the dominoes line up neatly. Frattesi’s sale would free up both funds and a midfield slot at Inter. That, in turn, would allow the Serie A champions to return to Liverpool with a fresh offer for Jones, this time closer to the €35m mark that Liverpool are now believed to accept.

Liverpool, already planning for life with new wide players and a reshaped core, would bank around £30m for an academy graduate entering the final year of his deal. Inter would land their long-term target. Newcastle would plug a glaring hole in midfield.

Three clubs. Two midfielders. One move away from setting the market in motion.