Headline: Liverpool Transfers Curtis Jones to Inter Milan, Fans Call for Midfield Reinforcement
Liverpool sold Curtis Jones to Inter Milan.
The homegrown midfielder was set to be under contract until 2027, but Richard Hughes decided to sell him for £30 million.
While this amount is substantial for a player nearing the end of his contract, it undeniably leaves the club short on midfield options.
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It seems the funds will focus on strengthening the attack, with £123 million signing Bradley Barcola expected to join this weekend, along with plans for additional wide forwards.
Fans want a new No6
Supporters may feel that the team could benefit from adding another midfielder for the upcoming season under Andoni Iraola.
The first-choice trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Alexis Mac Allister each have their limitations in midfield.
After those three, options become limited. Trey Nyoni, though highly regarded, lacks experience, while Wataru Endo rarely earns a starting spot.
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Andoni Iraola pleads with James McConnell to stay
Recent reports indicate that Iraola has asked one midfielder to remain with the team for the 2026/27 season rather than seek a loan.
Lewis Steele from the Daily Mail reports that the plug has been pulled on a potential loan for James McConnell.
“Another back-up option is academy graduate James McConnell,” the report states.
“He spent the first half of last season at Ajax and spent the second half sidelined due to injury.
However, he is currently fit and has been asked to remain with the team.
He had initially agreed to a loan move to Preston North End, but that has been postponed for now.”
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James McConnell wanted by Preston
McConnell signed a contract extension before his loan to Ajax under John Heitinga. His time in Holland was cut short due to injury, and Heitinga’s dismissal did not aid his situation.
Now fully fit, the 21-year-old aims to impress Iraola during the early days of his managerial tenure.
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No one expects the former Sunderland youth to be the primary choice for the No6 position, but it is evident that he is part of the club’s plans this season.
Liverpool holds McConnell in high regard, and he has already secured an EFL Cup win after impressing in the 2024 final under Jurgen Klopp.
This is a critical time for McConnell to advance his career and demonstrate to Iraola and Hughes that significant investments in the No6 role may not be necessary in the long run.
Liverpool sold Curtis Jones to Inter Milan.
The homegrown midfielder was going to be out of contract in 2027 with Richard Hughes taking the decision to cash in for £30m.
That is decent money for a player with only one year left on his deal but there’s no doubt that it leaves the club short on midfield options.
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It appears as though money is going to be spent on the attack instead with £123m Bradley Barcola joining this weekend and deals planned for more wide forwards.
Fans want a new No6
Fans could be forgiven for thinking that the club could do with an extra midfielder in there for the season ahead under Andoni Iraola.
Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister will be the first-choice trio but all of them have their own drawbacks in midfield.
Beyond those and the options are scarce. Trey Nyoni is inexperienced – even if he is highly rated – while Wataru Endo is hardly ever trusted to start.
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Andoni Iraola pleads with James McConnell to stay
It’s now emerged that Iraola has asked one midfielder to stick around for the 2026/27 campaign instead of heading out on loan.
Because Lewis Steele in the Daily Mail is reporting that the plug has been pulled on a potential loan for James McConnell.
“Another back-up option is academy graduate James McConnell,” the report reads.
“He spent the first half of last season at Ajax and the second half on the treatment table.
“But he is fit now and has been asked to stick around.
“He had agreed a loan move to Preston North End but that has been put on the back-burner for now at least.”
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James McConnell wanted by Preston
McConnell signed a new contract extension before heading off to Ajax under John Heitinga. That spell was cut short due to injury and Heitinga’s sacking didn’t help his chances either.
Now fully recovered the 21-year-old has taken the chance to impress Iraola in the early stages of his reign.
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No one is claiming that the former Sunderland youth is going to be first-choice at No6 but it is instructive to learn that he does indeed figure in the plan this term.
Liverpool rate McConnell highly and he is already an EFL Cup winner having starred in the 2024 final under Jurgen Klopp.
Now is the time to kick on and convince Iraola and Hughes that no big-money No6 signings will be needed in the longer term either.
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