Liverpool's Summer Rebuild Impacting Key Players
Liverpool’s summer rebuild is starting to come at a real cost to the current core.
With the club pushing hard to land two new wingers – Bradley Barcola sitting right at the top of that list – the knock-on effect is beginning to bite. If Barcola arrives and another wide forward follows him through the door, Cody Gakpo will be cleared to complete a move to Tottenham.
The Dutchman already has personal terms agreed with Spurs. For a player in his prime, it would be a bold sale, but he might not be the only one.
Inter clear the runway for Curtis Jones
On the continent, Inter Milan have refused to let go of their pursuit of Curtis Jones. The 25-year-old was their priority midfield target back in January, and nothing has changed since.
Inter have tested Liverpool’s resolve multiple times this summer. Their biggest offer so far reached €30m (£26m), and was swiftly rejected. Liverpool’s stance had been clear: around €40m (£34m) or no deal.
Inter, though, were never willing to climb that high. They had two problems to solve: raise space in the squad and bring Liverpool’s price down.
The first obstacle has now gone. Davide Frattesi is out.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano first signalled the breakthrough with his trademark “here we go” as Frattesi’s switch to Lazio was agreed. On Friday, he laid out the numbers: an initial €5m loan, a €10m buy option, and a 50% sell-on clause in Inter’s favour.
That move opened a slot in Simone Inzaghi’s midfield. One condition met. One left.
Liverpool blink on the fee
The second hurdle always sat at Anfield. If Inter were going to get Jones, Liverpool had to soften their stance.
That moment has arrived.
Romano reported that Inter still view Jones as a “priority target” and now believe a deal is realistic at €35m (£30m). Hours later, local backing came from the Liverpool Echo, which confirmed the club are now prepared to accept that figure.
“Negotiations with Inter Milan regarding Curtis Jones have stalled in recent weeks, but a breakthrough could be on the horizon,” the Echo reported, adding that £30m is now the asking price, down from £34m.
The shift is small on paper. In this market, though, it’s decisive. It drags Jones from the “not for sale” shelf into the “doable if you really want him” bracket.
A prime asset on the brink
Put together, the pieces are suddenly aligned.
Inter have freed up Frattesi. The fee is now within their reach. Their interest has never cooled. Liverpool, meanwhile, are reshaping the squad, weighing up big decisions on players who should be in the middle of their peak years.
Gakpo could head to Spurs once the wing situation is resolved. Jones, long admired in Milan, now has a clear path to San Siro if Inter step up with that €35m bid.
Liverpool wanted control of this window. By dropping the price, they may just have handed Inter the invitation they’ve been waiting for.
