Liverpool forced to wait on Forest amid Curtis Jones talks | Football | Sport

Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones is being linked with a potential departure from Anfield as the January transfer window approaches its closing stages. While there are ongoing rumours about potential arrivals, the most recent speculation suggests an exit could materialise before Monday’s deadline.

Arne Slot’s side currently occupy sixth position in the Premier League table and are scheduled to welcome Newcastle United to Anfield on Saturday evening. Slot will be eager to have Jones at his disposal for the clash against the Magpies.

The midfielder was absent from the midweek Champions League triumph over Qarabag due to illness. Now, there is a realistic possibility that Jones could leave Liverpool before the window closes.

Reports suggest Inter Milan have initiated discussions with Liverpool regarding a deal to secure Jones’s services in Italy before Monday’s cut-off. The Serie A giants are said to be exploring a loan deal for Jones that would run until the end of the campaign, with an option to make the transfer permanent this summer.

The speculation suggests that any move for Jones may depend on Inter’s Davide Frattesi leaving the San Siro to join Nottingham Forest. Frattesi is said to be moving closer to completing a switch to Forest, which would subsequently allow the Italian club to advance their interest in Jones as his replacement.

Jones has made 29 appearances for Liverpool this season across all competitions. Nevertheless, he has been given just 10 Premier League starts and found himself demoted to the substitutes’ bench for last weekend’s defeat at Bournemouth.

With Monday’s deadline approaching, Slot addressed whether Liverpool might recruit new signings over the coming days, but the manager remained tight-lipped. Slot said: “You promise me you’re not going to ask me post-match as well?”

“Yeah, I think you know the answer. The answer is if we think we’ve addressed a player that can help us and think it’s possible, then we will do so.

“But those are conversations that take place. Not far away from here, by the way, but not in this room.”

When pushed further on whether his remarks indicated a deal was improbable, Slot responded: “Why is it unlikely? Okay, that’s a smart way of asking it. I think the answer I gave. It’s up to you whether that means it’s unlikely or likely.”