Inter Milan are preparing another attempt to sign Curtis Jones, with the Liverpool midfielder remaining a long-standing priority for the Italian champions as the summer transfer window enters its decisive phase.
Inter have already held further contact with Jones' representatives and are expected to return to Liverpool with another proposal.
The latest move is not dependent on another player leaving Inter, meaning the Nerazzurri are prepared to pursue Jones on his own merits.
However, the deal still comes down to one crucial issue: whether Inter can reach an agreement with Liverpool.
The latest reports reinforce that Inter's interest is serious, but Jones remains a Liverpool player and no agreement between the clubs has been reached.
Inter Refuse to Give Up on Their Long-Standing Target
Inter's interest in Jones is nothing new.
The midfielder has been on the Italian club's radar since January, with their pursuit continuing through the summer despite multiple approaches failing to produce an agreement.
Gazzetta dello Sport previously reported that Jones had been identified as an Inter target as early as January, with the Nerazzurri initially looking at a deal around the €30 million mark.
Inter subsequently returned with formal offers, but Liverpool rejected them.
The Guardian reported in July that Inter made a €35m (£30m) proposal after an earlier €25m approach was rejected, while Liverpool's valuation remained closer to €40m.
That valuation gap has been the biggest obstacle throughout the negotiations.
Now Inter are preparing to try again.
The New Bid Will Not Depend on Another Inter Exit
One of the most important details in the latest development is that Inter's pursuit of Jones is not being held hostage by another departure.
The club are therefore expected to continue working towards a deal regardless of whether another midfielder leaves.
That represents a significant statement of intent.
Inter have been managing their squad carefully this summer, but Jones has remained their preferred midfield target throughout the process. Recent reports have again described him as the Italian club's priority in the position.
The challenge now is convincing Liverpool to accept their terms.
Liverpool Still Hold the Key
For all the noise around Jones' future, the most important part of the equation remains unchanged.
Liverpool must agree to sell.
The Reds have previously rejected Inter's proposals because they did not meet the club's valuation.
Reports earlier in the window placed Liverpool's asking price around £30m–£35m, although recent reports have suggested that figure could be more flexible.
That creates an interesting situation for Liverpool.
Jones is approaching the final year of his contract, meaning the club must weigh the value of keeping him for another season against the possibility of losing him for nothing when his contract expires.
At the same time, Liverpool's new head coach Andoni Iraola has reportedly been keen to retain the academy graduate.
The decision is therefore not purely financial.
Jones' Contract Situation Makes This More Complicated
The midfielder's contract is one of the reasons Inter continue to see an opportunity.
Jones is entering the final year of his Liverpool deal, which means an overseas club could negotiate a pre-contract agreement with him from January if he remains at Anfield without renewing.
Liverpool therefore face a choice.
They can reject Inter's latest attempt and keep Jones for the season, hoping either to convince him to stay longer or maximise his contribution before his contract expires.
Or they can decide that a sizeable transfer fee is preferable to risking his departure as a free agent.
That calculation could become increasingly important as the transfer deadline approaches.
Inter Have Already Shown How Far They Are Willing to Go
The Nerazzurri's persistence is perhaps the clearest indication of how highly they rate Jones.
Their previous proposals have repeatedly been turned down, yet the club have continued discussions rather than abandoning the pursuit.
Reports have suggested that Inter were prepared to increase their offer beyond €35m, although the precise structure and value of any new proposal remain unconfirmed.
That means Liverpool could soon have another decision to make.
If Inter substantially improve their proposal, the pressure on the Reds to determine Jones' future will increase.
If the offer remains below Liverpool's expectations, the midfielder could stay at Anfield despite the growing transfer speculation.
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