Liverpool have no plans to part with Curtis Jones on Deadline Day, amid late-window interest from Aston Villa in a last-ditch transfer for the midfielder, according to Goal.
Dean Smith’s Villans have emerged a shock suitor for the 20-year-old, but are unlikely to convince the Reds to sell. Jurgen Klopp still has faith in Jones fulfilling his potential at Liverpool, despite him falling down the German’s pecking order.
Harvey Elliott has overtaken Jones for a place in the Reds’ engine room after spending last season with Blackburn Rovers. Klopp is yet to award Jones any Premier League minutes this term and has also omitted him entirely from two of Liverpool’s three matchday squads.
Liverpool would want far, far in excess of the £15m Aston Villa are said to have offered for Jones. And there have been no plans at Anfield to entertain offers to sell the England U21 international this summer.
Klopp believes Jones performed well over his 34 appearances in all competitions last term, in which he offered four goals. The Liverpool-born prospect also provided five assists, with his last coming during May’s 4-2 win away to rivals Manchester United.
Jones also still has full belief in his own ability and believes he can become an established starter at Anfield. He started 22 of his outings last season – including all five Champions League appearances. While scoring a winner against Ajax and assisting against RB Leipzig.
It is very unlikely that Jones now leaves Liverpool, despite Elliott’s increased role, before Tuesday’s deadline passes. Only an astronomical offer would likely be enough for Klopp to consider selling the £7,500-per-week talent, under contract until 2025.
Should Liverpool sell Curtis Jones?
Jones would have hoped for a greater role in Klopp’s plans after a strong season last term. The Reds also rewarded him with a new contract in July 2020 after impressing during the prolonged 2019/20 campaign. But his status has slipped rather than risen in Klopp’s squad.
Yet that is not enough for the Reds to now accept a last-ditch deal to sell the England youth talent. Should a side offer their one main condition of over £15m. He is still only 20-years-old and has plenty of time ahead to fulfil his aspirations of becoming an established starter.
Klopp also expects great things from the Reds product, having seen him stand out during Liverpool’s poor run last season. “There is a lot to come from Curtis,” the German said, via the Liverpool Echo in March. “The potential is exceptional.
“His control is good. He controls the game really well and keeps the ball, that’s all really good. But a player of this quality, we needed him in the finishing situations as well tonight.”
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