Inter Milan have reached a verbal agreement with Liverpool to sign England midfielder Curtis Jones in a transfer package worth €35 million (£30m).
The 25-year-old has also agreed terms with the Serie A giants, leaving a medical and final paperwork among the remaining steps before his move to Italy can be completed.
The breakthrough brings Inter’s long-running pursuit of Jones close to a successful conclusion. The Italian club have targeted the Liverpool academy graduate throughout the summer but previously struggled to bridge the gap between their valuation and Liverpool’s demands.
Inter had an offer of €25m rejected in June before returning to negotiations. By the end of July, they were prepared to increase their proposal to €35m, a figure much closer to what Liverpool wanted.
Talks intensified again this week and a package worth €35m, including add-ons, has now been verbally agreed. Jones has been given permission to proceed with a medical ahead of the proposed transfer.
The deal would end Jones’ lengthy association with Liverpool.
The midfielder joined the club’s academy at the age of nine and progressed through the youth system before establishing himself in the first-team squad. He has since made more than 200 senior appearances for his boyhood club.
Jones’ contract situation has played an important role in Liverpool’s decision to consider a sale. He has entered the final year of his Anfield deal, leaving the club facing the possibility of losing him without a transfer fee next summer if no extension is agreed.
Inter have been monitoring that situation for months.
Their interest stretches back to January, and an opportunity to move to Serie A could offer Jones the prospect of a more prominent midfield role after struggling to establish himself as an automatic starter at Liverpool.
He made 49 appearances across all competitions last season but started 28 of them, with his versatility sometimes seeing him deployed away from his preferred central midfield position.
Inter’s willingness to return with an improved proposal eventually appears to have broken the deadlock.
The move would also continue an increasingly noticeable English presence at Inter, who have been active in the Premier League market this summer.
For Liverpool, selling Jones for around £30m represents a significant return on an academy-developed player, although his departure would reduce the midfield options available ahead of the new campaign.
The transfer is not officially complete yet. However, with Liverpool and Inter reaching a verbal agreement, Jones accepting the move and a medical being planned, the deal has entered its final stages.
