Inter Milan are monitoring Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones as a potential reinforcement for their midfield, according to reports in Italy. The interest stems from a recent social media interaction – a ‘like’ on a post by Marcus Thuram – which also included likes from Moussa Diaby, another previous Inter target, and Jones, sparking speculation about the club’s intentions.
While Inter previously showed interest in Diaby, their focus has shifted towards Jones due to the club’s admiration for Nico Paz, a Real Madrid player. The situation with Diaby is complicated by his current spell in the Saudi League with Al Ittihad and Inter’s growing preference for Paz. Jones’ contract at Liverpool expires in June 2027, and he is reportedly unwilling to sign an extension, prompting Liverpool to consider a sale to avoid losing him for free next year.
Inter manager Cristian Chivu is said to be a fan of Jones’ versatility, believing he possesses the qualities to excel in multiple midfield roles – as an interior midfielder, a box-to-box player, or an attacking midfielder. His ability to play at a “Premier League pace” is particularly appealing as Inter aim to increase their intensity and competitiveness in the Champions League. Some observers have noted stylistic similarities between Jones and Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.
Alongside the pursuit of Jones, Inter are also exploring a loan deal for Real Madrid’s Nico Paz. The club views Paz as a potential “high-profile signing” that aligns with the criteria set by Oaktree, their financial backers, who prioritize players with reasonable wages and a young age. Inter are prepared to structure a loan deal similar to the arrangement Como struck with Real Madrid, potentially including a repurchase clause or a counter-option to allow Real Madrid to retain control of the player. The club believes that playing for Inter, with the pressures of Serie A and Champions League football, would provide Paz with a similar environment to that of the Santiago Bernabéu.
Inter’s transfer budget, provided by Oaktree, is estimated at €40-45 million plus funds generated from player sales. This budget is currently earmarked primarily for the potential acquisition of Paz. The possibility of signing Guglielmo Vicario as a replacement for Yann Sommer has been put on hold pending a decision on promoting Pepo Martinez as the starting goalkeeper.
