Tottenham and Nottingham Forest battle for Curtis Jones as Liverpool demand £40m
Tottenham Hotspur want to sign Curtis Jones from Liverpool this summer, but face competition from Nottingham Forest. The England international is open to leaving Liverpool, who value the 25-year-old midfielder at £40 million. With just one year left on his contract, a transfer this summer looks the most likely outcome.
Dismal season forces Spurs into major rebuild
Tottenham Hotspur will want to forget this season quickly. The north Londoners finished second from bottom above the relegation zone in the Premier League, only securing their top-flight status on the final day. Fifty-seven goals conceded in 38 league games, a persistent injury crisis and multiple managerial changes made for a campaign of near-constant turmoil. In the transfer market, the club has already moved to overhaul the defence. Andy Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi have all arrived to shore up the backline. With the defensive rebuild underway, Spurs are now turning their attention to midfield. New manager Roberto de Zerbi needs players who can bring energy and dynamism to the centre of the pitch.
Curtis Jones on the radar, but Forest enter the race
One name being linked with a move to Tottenham is Curtis Jones. The Liverpool midfielder had a difficult season under Arne Slot, making just 1,950 minutes of Premier League action. Spurs tried to sign him in January, but Liverpool turned down that approach after failing to find a suitable replacement in time. The situation looks different this summer. Jones, who has one year remaining on his contract, wants to leave Liverpool. The Reds have no intention of letting him walk away for free and are asking £40 million. Nottingham Forest, however, are emerging as serious rivals for his signature: the East Midlands club are in the market for a replacement for departing Elliot Anderson and have identified Jones as their target. Tottenham's activity in the midfield market is also driven by uncertainty elsewhere in the squad. Lucas Bergvall has been strongly linked with a summer exit after falling down the pecking order, while Yves Bissouma has already left the club following the expiry of his contract.
Does Jones actually fit De Zerbi's system?
Whether Jones is genuinely the right addition for Tottenham is open to debate. The 25-year-old Englishman is known for his energy, his pressing from central positions and his ability to win the ball back quickly — all valuable attributes. But his range of passing is limited and he is not a player who regularly scores or contributes significant attacking output. His profile bears a strong resemblance to that of Conor Gallagher, who is already at Spurs. Fielding two similar types in central midfield and spending £40 million to do so raises legitimate questions, particularly if Roberto de Zerbi needs a different kind of midfielder to fully express his style of play.
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Source: Via Yardbarker (GNews)
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