Inter Milan are preparing a second bid for Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, according to talkSPORT.
The Reds have already rejected an initial offer worth £21.6million from the Serie A side, with the bid falling well short of Liverpool’s £30million valuation.
Liverpool are under no pressure to sell and are prepared to keep Jones beyond the current transfer window if their asking price is not met.
The club had initially believed a deal with Inter was unlikely after rejecting the opening offer, but the Italian giants are now working on an improved proposal. No fresh talks between the clubs have taken place.
Curtis Jones is reportedly open to leaving Anfield this summer, while Inter remain keen after also seeing an approach rebuffed in January.
The 25-year-old has one year remaining on his contract, and Liverpool’s stance has not changed despite Inter’s renewed interest. The Premier League giants will only consider selling if a bid matching their valuation arrives.
Curtis Jones found regular opportunities limited last season, with Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai establishing themselves as Liverpool’s preferred midfield trio.
He made 34 Premier League appearances, scoring once and providing two assists, while also starting four Champions League matches.
If no suitable offer arrives, Curtis Jones is expected to remain at Anfield and could still earn a new contract if he impresses under new head coach Andoni Iraola.
That outcome would please former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant, who said in April that he hoped Jones would remain at Anfield.
Pennant said on talkSPORT’s Inside Liverpool: “I just think sometimes you just need continuity to get into a regular rhythm to get your confidence up.
“Sometimes, chopping and changing positions and coming in and out of the team is hard, and he gets judged week in, week out.
“For some reason, he doesn’t get the same chances that the others get. Mac Allister has been way off it, but Slot is still playing him ahead of Jones.
“I would like to see him there next season because he can do a job all over the pitch.”
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