Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has emerged as a transfer target for Nottingham Forest as they search for a replacement for the departing Elliot Anderson.
Anderson has agreed a move to Manchester City while representing England at the World Cup, with a fee widely reported to be £116 million.
The significant windfall from Anderson’s sale gives Forest more than enough financial firepower to pursue a new midfielder this summer.
Jones, who has been lauded for his “incredible work rate” by scout Jacek Kulig, has just one year remaining on his contract at Anfield.
Liverpool have set a £40 million asking price for the 25-year-old, a figure that has proven prohibitive for interested parties so far.
Inter Milan have already seen a bid of £21.7 million rejected by the Merseysiders, and that was actually the second time the Serie A club attempted to sign him after a January approach.
Liverpool are not anticipating further negotiations with Inter at this stage, which leaves Forest with a clear run at the midfielder.
However, Forest would need to break their transfer record to land Jones, with the £40 million asking price exceeding the £37.5 million they paid for Omari Hutchinson.
According to reporter Ben Jacobs, the Tricky Trees have identified Jones among their options but it remains unclear whether they would commit to the full asking price.
Jacobs also states that Liverpool would be prepared to keep Jones if their valuation is not met, and there remains a chance he signs a new contract at Anfield.
Jones started just 18 of the 34 Premier League matches he was involved in last season, registering one goal and two assists in limited opportunities.
He received just 1,929 minutes of league game time, averaging 11.1 defensive contributions per 90, compared to Anderson’s 13.9 across 3,334 Premier League minutes.
Anderson, who ranked tenth in the Premier League for minutes played, also registered eight goal involvements compared to three for Jones.
The contrast in their World Cup involvement further highlights the gap, as Anderson has started all three England games while Jones failed to make the squad entirely.
A move to Inter Milan could still appeal to Jones, with Cristian Chivu’s side having won the Serie A title last season and representing a step into European football.