€40m Inter gamble hinges on Jones’ hip issue
Liverpool’s Curtis Jones will not be sold to Inter for under €40m after Andoni Iraola confirmed his absence from the squad was due to a hip issue, not a transfer signal.
Inter had interpreted Jones’s omission from Liverpool’s matchday squad as a sign the midfielder could be acquired for less than €40m. The €40m price tag was linked to his contract running down in June 2027, with Liverpool expected to lower expectations as the window progressed. Jones’s exclusion from the bench for a recent friendly at Anfield was seen as further evidence of a potential sale.
Iraola dismissed any transfer speculation, stating Jones trained daily but finished Wednesday with hip problems. “Curtis, he has trained every day but yesterday finished with issues in the hip,” the coach said. “It doesn’t look anything big but it didn’t make any sense to risk and those are the ones, more or less, closer to a return.”
The England international’s fitness problems extend beyond Jones. Jeremy Jacquet was also omitted from the squad due to fitness concerns, adding to Liverpool’s squad management challenges.
Inter’s €40m offer for Jones would require selling a current midfielder to balance the books. Aleksandar Stankovic is the most likely candidate to leave, a move that risks fan backlash given his status as a club academy graduate and son of former player Dejan Stankovic.
The situation underscores the delicate balance between medical updates and transfer strategy. Liverpool’s decision to prioritise Jones’s recovery over a potential sale highlights the club’s cautious approach to squad value.
Jones, a regular in Liverpool’s midfield, remains sidelined as Inter weigh their options. The Nerazzurri’s pursuit has faced repeated setbacks, with multiple proposals rejected over several months.
At Stadio San Siro on December 9, 2025, Jones was seen under pressure from Nicolo Barella during the UEFA Champions League League Phase MD6 clash between Inter and Liverpool. The snapshot captured the midfielder’s role as a key target for the Italian side.
Iraola’s explanation leaves Inter with limited leverage. The club’s €40m valuation now appears contingent on Jones’s fitness timeline, not financial pressure from Liverpool.
For Inter, the gamble on Jones remains high-risk. Stankovic’s potential departure could destabilise the squad, while Jones’s injury introduces uncertainty over his availability and form.