Liverpool star made priority transfer target by Champions League club

A huge European club have opened negotiations with Liverpool ahead of the summer transfer window.

After a poor Premier League title defence, Liverpool, who finished fifth last term, will likely enter the summer transfer market much like they did in 2025, when they shelled out nearly £450 million on players such as Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz.

Meanwhile, several key players departed Anfield last summer, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz all moving on.

On Friday (May 29), it was widely reported that centre-back Ibrahima Konate is set to leave the Reds upon the expiry of his current contract this summer.

Discussions took place over a new contract, although a resolution could not be reached, meaning the France international, who is part of Didier Deschamps' 26-man World Cup squad, will leave the club.

Liverpool legends Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson have also played their final match for the side ahead of what promises to be a busy summer on Merseyside.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, midfielder and academy graduate Curtis Jones may also seek a transfer after falling down the pecking order behind Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Wirtz since head coach Arne Slot's arrival in 2024.

Jones, 25, made 34 Premier League appearances last term, registering one goal and two assists, although he started just 18 league matches.

On the potential transfer, Romano wrote: "Inter keep working on the Curtis Jones deal as negotiations continue.

"He was a top target in January and is still at the top of Inter's list for midfield.

"Jones is open to joining Inter and clubs are in contact. An agreement is not close yet, as the suggested €20m fee is not enough, but the deal is on."

Inter, who are managed by former defender Cristian Chivu, enjoyed a successful 2025/26 campaign, winning a domestic double — Serie A and the Coppa Italia.

If Jones were to join Inter, he would compete with Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Davide Frattesi, Petar Sucic and Piotr Zielinski for a starting spot.

Slot explains Jones' lack of game time

Speaking in February, Slot explained the reasons behind Jones' lack of minutes while also describing the Liverpudlian as a "very good player".

"Curtis is a very good player. I've said this many times, also to him, and he agrees with me, by the way," he said.

"So if he were playing in another position, he would have played much, much more. But that's the only line — touch wood — where we haven't had our problems this season. Then you sometimes need him or other players in different positions, and so many times they've done well."

Jones has also insisted that he'll play anywhere to help the team, with the Englishman deployed at right-back at times last season.

"Yeah, I'm a centre-mid and I want to score goals, get assists and help the team," he said when addressing the topic.

"But if the manager needs me and the team needs me to play as a centre-half, a full-back or a striker, I'll do it and I'll try my best."