Liverpool star Curtis Jones has agreed to leave the club and join Inter Milan this summer after a formal bid was made, according to TEAMtalk.

The Reds are facing a mass exodus of talent this summer after Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate, and Andy Robertson all departed on a free transfer, while there are major question marks surrounding the future of the likes Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa, and goalkeeper Alisson.

But the player who looks closest to the exit door is Jones, and the central midfielder has now given his commitment to the Serie A giants.

Curtis Jones Agrees to Join Inter

Jones, who has been desribed as ‘incredible’, is set to enter the final 12 months of his contract at Anfield next month, and has now accepted that his time at this boyhood club is coming to an end.

There is currently no agreement on a renewal, and talks have stalled, with inter Milan showing a major interest in the England international since having a bid rejected back in January. They have since returned with a bid this summer, worth around £21m, but Liverpool are holding out for more.

The central midfielder is valued at around £25m, and with talks ongoing between the clubs, an agreement is expected to be found before the new season begins. So much so, that Jones has given his commitment to the Italian champions, rejecting rival interest from the likes of Aston Villa.

The 25-year-old is ready to move abroad for a fresh challenge, and Liverpool don’t want to lose another player on a free transfer after Trent Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Robertson, and Salah over the last 12 months.

Andoni Iraola is understood to be prioritising midfield reinforcements this summer with the expectation that Jones will be leaving, with Bournemouth star Alex Scott believed to be a top target.

Jones Exit a Blow for Liverpool

Liverpool have had a number of weird transfer decisions in recent seasons, and letting Jones leave this summer would be another.

The club did all they can to keep Alexander-Arnold and Konate, but ultimately wouldn’t stump up the cash required to keep the Frenchman. Some signings have been disappointing too, but someone like Jones has been a reliable performer for years, and has looked ready to take on more responsibility recently.

Instead, Liverpool are looking ready to let him leave instead. The connection between players and fans is always important, especially at a club like Liverpool, but it seems to be getting thrown to the side in recent years, and the club are suffering as a result.

Aston Villa are ready to add an elite central defender to their squad this summer after Unai Emery gave his green light to an opening bid, according to Sports Boom.

The Villans are preparing to return to the Champions League next season after winning the Europa League and finishing fourth in the Premier League this season, with the manager now keen to bolster his squad to ensure they remain competitive at all levels.

Central defence is an area that has been identified as needing strengthening, and the club are now ready to make an offer to do just that, with a top young Spaniard.

Aston Villa Ready to Bid for Jon Martin

According to Sports Boom, Aston Villa are ready to make a bid to sign Real Sociedad star Jon Martin this summer.

Martin, who has been described as ‘tremendous’, is considered to be one of the best young Spanish defenders around, with the 20-year-old making 29 starts across all competitions for the club this season, scoring twice in La Liga as the team missed out on qualifying for the Champions League.

Villa are expecting big changes in their squad this summer, with Tyrone Mings expected to depart while Victor Lindelof and Pau Torres have also been linked with moves away.

Emery is understood to want an ‘elite’ central defender in his squad to partner Ezri Konsa, and has given his green light for Villa to table a €25m (£21m) bid for the youngster. However, Sociedad don’t want to lose the talented defender, and are pointing towards his €50m (£43m) release clause to avoid any negotiations.

The club remain in discussions with the player and his representatives over potential personal terms, but a number of top European clubs are also keeping an eye on the situation.

Aston Villa Can Seal Deal for Martin

Photo courtesy of Reuters.

Konsa is the leading man in the Aston Villa defence as things stand, and all of Torres, Mings, and Lindelof have partnered him with success during the most recent campaign.

But Martin is a player who has the terrific potential to be able to not only step in alongside Konsa in the coming years, but also eventually take over from his as the leader of the defence.

The £43m clause is likely too high, but Sociedad will be forced to consider any serious offers for his services. Villa know that, and they are very good in the transfer market, while Emery always gets the best out of his players. This deal could be one that looks like a bargain in a few years.

Players aren’t the only ones with a financial stake in what happens at the 2026 World Cup this summer.

The officials overseeing football’s biggest tournament are in line for a bumper payday of their own, and two of England’s most prominent referees are set to cash in.

Premier League officials currently earn in the region of £170,000 to £180,000 a year once match fees and bonuses are factored in, a figure that varies depending on experience and seniority. But for those selected this summer, the World Cup presents a huge financial opportunity: the chance to exceed an entire season’s worth of earnings in just five weeks.

A Record-Breaking Pay Packet for Referees at the World Cup

According to The Times, World Cup referees will each earn a record-breaking $100,000 (around £75,000) for their involvement in the tournament, a figure that represents roughly double what officials were paid at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. It’s an uplift that reflects both the expanded 48-team format, the increased scrutiny that comes with it, and FIFA’s determination to attract the very best officials football has to offer.

This is all before bonuses. Referees retained for the knockout rounds will earn more at each successive stage, with those handed the final on the 19th of July in line for the largest payout of all.

Two of the Premier League’s best referees have been selected for the tournament: Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor. Between their Premier League commitments, FA Cup and Champions League matches this season, both are understood to have already earned in the region of £250,000, so the World Cup will be a lucrative addition on top of an already substantial year’s work.

Australian official Jarred Gillett, who also works in the Premier League, will attend in a specialist VAR capacity.

World Cup Rule Changes to be Enforced

The pay structure isn’t the only thing that’s new. FIFA has introduced a raft of rule changes for 2026.

Time-wasting is being targeted more aggressively than ever. Substitutes will be required to leave the pitch within ten seconds, and any player who goes off for treatment will have to remain off the pitch for a full minute before returning. There’s also a five-second countdown for throw-ins and goal kicks, and players who cover their mouths during confrontations with officials risk immediate dismissal.

VAR’s powers have been expanded too. For the first time, the system will be able to overturn a corner if it was incorrectly awarded, and review red cards issued for a second yellow. Two things fans have been crying out for.

VAR will also have the power to intervene and disallow goals for a foul by an attacking player even before the ball has crossed the line.

With 52 referees, 88 assistant referees and 30 VAR officials overseeing 104 matches, the infrastructure in place this summer is the largest in World Cup history by quite some distance.