Inter Milan have signalled they are willing to pay £30 million for Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, but Liverpool are holding out for at least £35 million and have rejected the approach.
The Italian club communicated their revised position through intermediaries after Liverpool dismissed an earlier offer of £21.75 million. Jones, 25, has one year left on his contract and has wanted more regular game time, though Liverpool say they are relaxed about his situation.
Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio confirmed Jones remained a target earlier this summer: “Curtis Jones – we are paying attention to him. We didn’t hide. We understand what the developments will be.”
Jones joined Liverpool at nine and signed his first professional contract in 2018. Inter also proposed a loan with a permanent option in January, which Liverpool rejected. Teammate Federico Chiesa told Italian media that Jones asked him what it was like to live in Italy. Liverpool have also received enquiries for fringe players who impressed on their pre-season tour of the United States, with Luke Chambers, Lewis Koumas, Calum Scanlon and Ifeanyi Ndukwe all attracting interest.
Inter separately confirmed the signing of England defender John Stones on a free transfer on Thursday.
Arsenal close in on Guimaraes
Arsenal have reached an agreement in principle to sign Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle for £77 million plus add-ons. The club have set aside a day next week for the Brazil midfielder’s medical.
Newcastle agree deal for Hornicek
Newcastle United have agreed in principle to sign goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek from Sporting Braga, activating his £25.7 million release clause.
The 24-year-old Czech international will become Newcastle’s fifth summer signing once a medical is completed and the clubs settle a payment structure. He has been given permission to travel. Newcastle had considered James Trafford and Carl Rushworth before settling on Hornicek. Trafford has since joined Leeds from Manchester City and Rushworth is moving to Coventry from Brighton. Parma’s Zion Suzuki, another option the club weighed, is in talks with Paris Saint-Germain.
Moyes rings O’Neill over Johnston
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill confirmed that Everton boss David Moyes called him personally to give advance notice of a formal approach for right-back Alistair Johnston.
“Everton have been in contact,” O’Neill said. “In fairness, David [Moyes] did call me last weekend to tell me that there would be contact. But I don’t know how far that has progressed, or if it has at all.”
Everton say Johnston, a 27-year-old Canada international, is one of a number of options at right-back they are considering.
Como return for Chalobah
Como have gone back to Chelsea with a revised approach for defender Trevoh Chalobah. Their last offer of £25 million plus add-ons fell short of Chelsea’s valuation, and the Italian club are seeking to include further achievable add-ons to bridge the gap. Talks on the 27-year-old England centre-back are expected to continue.
Brandt signs for Ajax
Leeds United missed out on Julian Brandt after the 30-year-old free agent signed a three-year contract with Ajax. Leeds had pursued the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder, and his father and agent, Jurgen, had visited Thorp Arch to discuss a move.
Bournemouth land Silva
Bournemouth have agreed a £25 million deal to sign Antonio Silva from Benfica, structured as £21.4 million plus £4.3 million in add-ons. The 22-year-old Portugal international captained Benfica in their 5-0 Europa League qualifying win over St Gallen on Thursday and is expected to travel for a medical this weekend.
West Ham pursue Engels
West Ham are pressing to sign Celtic midfielder Arne Engels as a midfield replacement for Mateus Fernandes. Celtic rejected bids of up to £25 million for the 22-year-old Belgium international from Nottingham Forest in January. Forest, Sunderland and Fulham had also shown interest.
In brief
Derby County are re-signing Sammie Szmodics from Ipswich Town on a season loan with an obligation to buy worth £5.4 million. Leicester City have signed Swansea City forward Liam Cullen on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. Brighton are finalising a deal for 18-year-old Blackburn striker Valentin Joseph. Coventry are closing in on Sheffield United midfielder Gustavo Hamer, who has a year remaining on his deal. Sheffield United rejected a Sassuolo offer for full-back Femi Seriki that included a loan and a permanent option worth £5 million. Manchester United acknowledge they are monitoring Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall but say completing a deal would be difficult.
