Liverpool could do without the distraction that Curtis Jones’ contract situation is currently bringing.
The 25-year-old – who is out of contract in 2027 – was approached by both Tottenham and Inter Milan in the winter transfer window.
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Ultimately Liverpool decided no deal would be done for Jones.
There are various accounts as to why the Premier League champions turned down the approaches.
Trusted club insiders on the Merseyside patch maintain that the Reds were not looking to weaken the squad in January and – in fact – would have been willing to sign players if the right deal was there.
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In Italy however they tell a different story – that Jones was available on a loan-to-buy basis only if he agreed to pen a Liverpool contract extension.
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Doing so would have kept the creative midfielder’s contract value high – otherwise he would be returning after a six-month loan spell with only a year on his contract.
No deal was done, no contract was signed and that means Jones is heading towards the end of this season shrouded in uncertainty.
Clubs encouraged to make Curtis Jones bid
A report in the Liverpool Echo now claims that suitors in January were “encouraged” by Jones’ camp to make a bid in order to capitalise on the contract chaos.
“The contact itself hints at some gentle encouragement behind the scenes from a player who is hurtling towards the final year of his deal on Merseyside,” the report reads.
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And there is reason to believe that unless Jones signs a new deal soon then Richard Hughes will make plans to sell him in summer 2026.
Arne Slot addressed the press ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup tie against Brighton – admitting that clubs were well entitled to take advantage of Liverpool’s “model” when it comes to players with expiring contracts.
Liverpool model makes Jones sale inevitable
“I think it is perfectly normal that very good football players are in the interest of big clubs, like us, trying to extend with him and clubs wanting to sign him,” he is reported to have said.
“And if you go to the end of your contract, I think it is also normal that other big clubs think: ‘Hmmm, maybe there’s a deal to be done’. Because, and I am saying this every time I am standing here lately, you know our model.
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“Other clubs know our model as well, so other clubs might think: ‘Okay, there is no use calling them because they don’t sell’, we have a different model. So that could be the reason why there has been some links with other clubs.”
That model saw Luis Diaz and Caoimhin Kelleher – among others – sold last summer when the countdown started on their Liverpool contracts. And just because he is a homegrown favourite don’t expect Jones’ treatment to be any different.
He has been unable to force his way into Slot’s starting XI – particularly for the big matches this season. Jones has been handed bench roles against the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal, Manchester City, Man Utd and Chelsea.
It’s easy to understand why the England man might be growing frustrated at his current situation. And the best solution for all involved may be a parting of the ways in summer.
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