Liverpool look set to lose two key names before the transfer window shuts, with Curtis Jones edging closer to Inter Milan and Cody Gakpo pushing towards a switch to Tottenham Hotspur. Both deals are shaping up to be central to the club’s ongoing squad overhaul this summer.
Jones is now in the final twelve months of his current deal, while Spurs’ interest in Gakpo comes at the same time Liverpool are locked in talks to bring in Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola. That leaves the Merseyside club needing to strike a careful balance — cashing in where they can without weakening the squad ahead of the new campaign.
According to sources within the agents’ circle who spoke to CaughtOffside, Inter have identified Jones as one of their top priorities and are confident a fee of around €35 million could get a deal over the line. Liverpool had originally wanted closer to €40m, but the England midfielder is understood to be keen on a move to Italy.
His recent spell out of the matchday squad has fuelled transfer talk, though reports close to Liverpool insist his absence is down to a hip issue and workload management rather than being sidelined ahead of a sale.
Gakpo’s exit is also gathering pace. Citing Voetbal International, FourFourTwo reports that the Dutch forward has already struck an agreement in principle to join Tottenham. Liverpool are holding out for more than £60m, with their asking price believed to sit closer to £70m.
Offloading both players could work in Liverpool’s favour financially, but only if suitable replacements are lined up first. With Jones’ contract situation still unresolved, letting him go for around €35m now makes sense given the risk of losing him for free next summer. Inter have been tracking him for some time, and a move to Serie A would likely hand him a bigger role through the middle.
Gakpo’s case is different, since he’s tied down until 2030 and Liverpool have no real pressure to sell unless Spurs match their valuation. His departure appears tied more to Liverpool’s plans to freshen up their wide areas, with Barcola still the priority target — personal terms are already agreed, though PSG remain firm on their asking price. Liverpool have also been linked with Ibrahim Mbaye, hinting at a broader reshuffle of the wide options at Anfield.
Taken together, the possible exits of Jones and Gakpo look less like cost-cutting and more like part of a bigger rebuilding plan.
