​According to reports from Italy, one Liverpool player now appears closer than ever to leaving Anfield, with an “agreement” seemingly struck with a fellow Premier League club. The Reds have already rejected two offers from Inter Milan for Curtis Jones and remain hopeful of long-term retention for the midfielder, who is entering the final 12 months of his contract.
A well-connected insider on X recently suggested (via CaughtOffside) that Aston Villa had opened talks with Liverpool regarding a potential transfer for the England international, but it now seems a different top-flight rival may have gained the upper hand. The Saturday edition of Corriere dello Sport, via Sport Witness, claimed that Liverpool had reached an agreement with Nottingham Forest over Curtis Jones, and that the 25-year-old is now closer to joining the City Ground outfit under new head coach Oliver Glasner. Forest are said to be the frontrunners and are believed to be nearing a deal, with Inter Milan reportedly set to miss out. The report did not specify a potential transfer fee.
For now, it’s wise to treat these developments with caution until corroborated by more authoritative sources closer to home. Nevertheless, there is a plausible scenario in which Jones could depart Liverpool this summer. His contract situation is delicate because he is in the final year of his deal, and if Andoni Iraola cannot guarantee him regular first-team opportunities at Anfield, the midfielder may seriously consider moving elsewhere to secure more playing time.
If the Reds decide to sell Jones this summer, it will be interesting to observe what fee they command. The club’s valuation of around £35 million, as reported by the Liverpool Echo, seems modest given his standing, even though he has only a year left on his contract. After all, Jones is a 25-year-old England international who has won the Premier League and made 228 appearances for one of the world’s most storied clubs. It would be surprising if he commanded a fee comparable to the £116 million Manchester City paid for a different player, but selling Jones for less than a third of that would feel like a poor piece of business for Liverpool.
The hope among supporters is that the Anfield hierarchy can persuade the Scouser to remain with his boyhood club for several more years. However, given the latest Italian reports, time is becoming a more pressing factor in determining his future. The situation warrants close observation as the summer window progresses, with many questions still to be answered about Jones’s future at Liverpool and the potential move to Nottingham Forest or another suitor.