Midfielder future decided after showdown talks with Andoni Iraola

Liverpool are close to selling Curtis Jones to Inter Milan.

The Italian champions have finally managed to work out a deal with the 2024/25 Premier League winners over the homegrown midfielder.

Inter will pay £30m inclusive of bonuses and add-ons for the 25-year-old - who inks a five-year, £115k per week deal at San Siro.

The move puts plenty of cash into Richard Hughes’ coffers but the flipside is the Anfield side are down a midfielder.

Given Andoni Iraola’s side came into the summer window linked with incoming midfielder deals this is far from ideal scenario.

Liverpool need midfielder squad depth

Aside from first-choice trio Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister the only senior backup option is Wataru Endo.

Young players and fringe men - including Trey Nyoni - will be relied upon to bulk out the squad in midfield. And perhaps the decision to sell Jones will have a big impact for another promising youngster in the shape of James McConnell.

Because Lewis Steele is reporting that the 21-year-old is set to feature under the Basque tactico this season as a rotation option.

James McConnell holds showdown talks with Andoni Iraola

It’s been revealed in Steele’s report that McConnell has been banging on Iraola’s door to get clarity on his role - leading to the 44-year-old pulling the handbrake on a potential move away.

McConnell - who spent part of last season at Ajax - was due to move to Preston North End of the Championship. But following talks with Iraola he now looks set to stay and play some part in the season ahead.

“It is understood James McConnell’s loan move to Championship side Preston has been kiboshed – for now at least – by Liverpool in the last days despite regular game-time being promised,” the report reads.

“North End had a deal agreed and met the player but Liverpool pulled the plug.

“The young midfielder, who spent time at Ajax last season, knocked on the door of boss Andoni Iraola last Friday and was told he is part of his plans after impressing in training and there will be minutes for him in the first team this year.

“McConnell also had a meeting with sporting director Richard Hughes, who stressed there is no official pecking order in the midfield so both Nyoni and McConnell can push for minutes.”

McConnell was due to join Preston

McConnell joined Liverpool’s academy from Sunderland as a teenager - signing a long-term contract extension last year before heading out to Ajax on loan.

Although that move under John Heitinga didn’t work out McConnell remains a player of immense promise and will have the opportunity to show what he can do under Iraola.