Nottingham Forest have emerged as the latest club to explore a move for Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones as uncertainty over the England international’s future continues to grow.
The 25-year-old has entered the final year of his contract at Anfield and is understood to be open to a new challenge after spending his entire professional career with his boyhood club. Forest’s interest comes after their club-record £116 million sale of Elliot Anderson to Manchester City, leaving them in the market for midfield reinforcements.
Despite the growing interest, Liverpool are standing firm over their valuation.
The Reds are believed to want between £35 million and £40 million for Jones, a figure they consider justified despite his contract situation. That stance has complicated negotiations with several clubs, including Serie A champions Inter Milan, who have been among the midfielder’s strongest admirers throughout the summer.
Reports suggest Nottingham Forest have now made initial checks as they assess potential replacements for Anderson, although it remains unclear how advanced their interest has become.
Forest’s emergence adds another dimension to a transfer saga that has largely centred on Inter Milan.
The Italian champions have already seen two bids rejected, with their second offer, worth around £21 million (€24 million/$28 million), falling well short of Liverpool’s demands. Club officials are understood to believe the asking price is excessive for a player entering the final 12 months of his contract.
Although Inter remain interested, sources indicate they are unwilling to match Liverpool’s valuation and are prepared to walk away if the Premier League club refuse to lower their demands. Even so, communication between the two clubs has continued as intermediaries attempt to bridge the gap.
Jones is reportedly attracted by the prospect of playing in Serie A and views a move to Inter as an appealing next step in his career. Recent reports, however, suggest he is less enthusiastic about remaining in the Premier League, with Nottingham Forest viewed as a less attractive destination despite their interest.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are under no immediate pressure to sell.
The club believe Jones retains significant value in a market where transfer fees for central midfielders have continued to rise, pointing to recent high-value deals involving players in similar positions as evidence that their valuation is realistic.
Jones has been a Liverpool player since joining the club’s academy and has developed into an experienced first-team performer.
He has made 228 senior appearances for the Reds, winning multiple major honours, including the Champions League and two Premier League titles. Last season he featured 49 times in all competitions, although he started only 18 Premier League matches under former head coach Arne Slot.
Liverpool are now preparing for a new era under head coach Andoni Iraola, but Jones’ future remains one of the biggest unresolved issues of the summer.
Should Forest decide to meet Liverpool’s valuation, they would have the financial resources following Anderson’s departure. However, with Inter still monitoring developments and Jones reportedly favouring a move abroad, the battle for the midfielder’s signature may still have several twists before the transfer window closes.
