Aston Villa have opened formal discussions with Liverpool over a potential summer transfer for midfielder Curtis Jones, according to a prominent insider account on X.
Unai Emery’s side is looking to strengthen their midfield options ahead of what promises to be another demanding European campaign for the club.
Jones, 25, has emerged as a primary target for Villa as they look to add proven Premier League quality and technical versatility to their squad.
With the Liverpool academy graduate entering the final 12 months of his contract at Anfield, domestic clubs are beginning to sense a genuine opportunity to secure his services.
Negotiations over a fresh contract extension between Jones and Liverpool are currently stalled, adding further urgency to the transfer speculation surrounding the midfielder.
During early discussions, Liverpool made clear to Villa their expectations around current market values for homegrown midfielders operating at the top level of the Premier League.
The Anfield hierarchy believe Jones represents significant value at somewhere in the region of £35 million to £40 million, given his technical qualities and top-flight experience.
Villa are now weighing up whether to meet that pricing structure in order to hand Emery his reported primary midfield target this summer.
Aston Villa are not the only club interested in Jones, with Inter Milan having already submitted multiple bids that Liverpool have firmly rejected.
The Serie A champions tabled a fresh verbal proposal worth a €25 million package, which Liverpool instantly turned down as falling well short of their valuation.
Reports indicate that Jones has already agreed personal terms with Inter Milan, though Liverpool’s stance on his price tag has only hardened as a result of those lowball approaches.
Under sporting director Richard Hughes, Liverpool have made clear they are prepared to keep Jones for the upcoming season rather than sell him at a cut-price fee.
The club would reportedly rather allow Jones to run down his contract and leave on a free transfer next summer than accept a figure below their £35 million baseline.
Villa’s willingness to engage seriously with Liverpool’s true valuation could hand the Midlands club a decisive advantage over their Italian rivals in the race for Jones.
The insider post on X stated: “Aston Villa are in talks with Liverpool regarding a summer transfer for Curtis Jones. Liverpool have highlighted to potential suitors the current market value for midfielders in the Premier League. Curtis Jones would be great value at around the £35m-£40m mark.”
Whether Jones ultimately chooses the ambition of a move to Italy or opts for a continuation in the Premier League with Villa remains to be seen as the summer window develops.
