Liverpool's Summer Rebuild: Gakpo and Jones on the Move
Liverpool’s summer rebuild is starting to come with a cost. Two core players, both in their prime years, are now closer than ever to the exit door.
Gakpo poised for Spurs if Barcola deal lands
All eyes at Anfield are locked on the wide areas. Liverpool are pushing hard to bring in two wingers, with Bradley Barcola identified as the standout target.
If Barcola arrives – along with another wide option – the dominoes are ready to fall. Cody Gakpo already has personal terms agreed with Tottenham and will be given the green light to move once Liverpool secure their replacements. The message is clear: the squad will be reshaped, even if that means sacrificing established names.
Gakpo might not be the only one.
Inter clear the path for Curtis Jones
Curtis Jones has been at the top of Inter Milan’s midfield wishlist for months. The Serie A champions made him their priority in January and never really stepped away.
They’ve already tested Liverpool’s resolve several times this summer. Their biggest bid reached around €30m (£26m) and was swiftly rejected, with Liverpool initially holding out for roughly €40m (£34m).
Inter’s stance was firm too. They wanted Jones, but not at that price. And they weren’t going to move again until they made room in their own squad.
That meant one thing: Davide Frattesi had to go.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano made it clear Inter would not submit a fresh offer for Jones until Frattesi’s future was resolved, noting there was “no green light” for a new bid until the Italian midfielder was off the books.
That barrier has now been removed. Romano delivered his trademark “here we go” on Frattesi’s switch to Lazio earlier in the week, and on Friday he laid out the numbers: an initial €5m loan, a €10m buy option, and a 50% sell-on clause retained by Inter.
With Frattesi now in Rome, Inter have ticked off the first condition needed to go hard for Jones.
Liverpool drop the price
The second condition was always on Merseyside. Inter needed Liverpool to soften their stance.
That has now happened.
Romano reported that Inter still view Jones as a “priority target” and now believe a deal is realistic at around €35m (£30m). That figure has since been backed up on the Liverpool side.
The Liverpool Echo revealed on Saturday that the club are now willing to accept £30m for the 25-year-old, down from their previous demand of £34m. Talks with Inter had stalled in recent weeks, but with both the Frattesi sale completed and Liverpool’s valuation lowered, the stalemate is starting to crack.
Jones, a homegrown midfielder entering what should be his peak years, is no longer in the “not for sale” bracket. He is in play at £30m.
For Liverpool, the plan is ruthless but clear: reshape the attack with Barcola and another winger, allow Gakpo to pursue a leading role at Spurs, and cash in on Jones while his value is strong.
For Inter, the message is even simpler. They have their space. They have their number.
Now they have to decide: do they finally pay it?
