Liverpool manager Arne Slot explained why the Reds ended talks with Inter Milan over the transfer of Curtis Jones.
During his latest press conference via FCInterNews, Slot addressed Liverpool’s transfer decisions in January.
Although Liverpool had initially offered Inter a chance to sign Curtis Jones, they eventually decided to pull the plug on the deal.
Meanwhile, the Serie A leaders quickly grew enthusiastic about landing the 25-year-old midfielder to bolster their ranks.
Furthermore, they even found a verbal agreement with the player, who was ready to depart his homeland for Italy.
However, the Merseyside powerhouse decided to kill the deal at the 11th hour, leaving Inter chiefs fuming.
Despite his turbulent time at Anfield, there’s no doubt that Jones would’ve been a massive coup for the Nerazzurri.
More importantly, he would’ve added quality to Cristian Chivu’s midfield after the club failed to sign Manu Kone and Ederson last summer.
Arne Slot Explains Why Liverpool Stopped Curtis Jones Transfer to Inter Milan
“He played a lot of minutes and was unlucky, in the sense that midfield is the only area where we haven’t had any injuries,” Slot said.
“We kept him because we have players, but we need them in these positions.
“At the moment, we need starting midfielders in several positions, so that department is getting smaller and smaller.
“His situation hasn’t changed for us” the Dutchman added.
“He’s one of 16 outfield players we have available, with two young players like Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha.
“Therefore, it would be strange if we let anyone go.”
Despite failing to get the deal over the line, Inter could make another attempt to sign Jones at the end of the season.
With Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s future hanging in the balance, the Nerazzurri will likely look to add to their midfield options next summer.
If we continue to stay in the green, maybe in 2, 3 years we can eventually allow ourselves to splash 30, 40 million on one player. Until then Marotta need to pay more attention at those free transfer deals, true you’ll still have to pay more in managers fees and salary, but even so it will be manageable to bring players who are valued minimum 40 million which we can’t afford. Plus our outgoing transfer policy need to improve, 10 mil here, 15 there… better than to wait contracts of our players to expire, or to wait too long to offload some players who are going in downward career path, examples Asllani, Correa, De Vrij…