Liverpool's summer dilemma: replacing Diomande and keeping Jones

Liverpool face a summer recruitment crunch after Ivorian defender Yan Diomande confirmed his move to Paris Saint‑Germain, leaving a void in the back line, while midfielder Curtis Jones approaches the final year of his contract and is valued at around £40 million, with Nottingham Forest already circling the Englishman. Richard Hughes has already hinted that Liverpool’s 2026‑27 summer window could be shaped by the loss of Yan Diomande, who confirmed his transfer to Paris Saint‑Germain and turned the Ivorian’s departure into a strategic dilemma for the Reds. The club had listed Diomande as its number‑one priority this summer, and his exit now forces Liverpool to seek both a defensive replacement and the funds to finance any incoming signings. Consequently, the Anfield side finds itself in a “pickle”, according to the source, as it balances squad depth with financial constraints. Among the players most likely to leave, Curtis Jones stands out, with Andoni Iraola’s side noting his limited role under Arne Slot during the 2025‑26 campaign, where he was mostly deployed as a right‑back despite the under‑performance of Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister. Jones, who has only a year left on his contract, attracted interest from Inter Milan, which made a £21.5 million approach that was instantly rejected. Ben Jacobs later clarified that Liverpool value Jones at roughly £40 million and are aware of external interest.

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Nottingham Forest, managed by Vitor Pereira, have identified Jones as a target to bolster their midfield after the £116 million departure of Elliot Anderson. The Forest side also keep Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall high on their list, with the player reportedly requesting a move away to seek a new challenge. However, the club must meet Liverpool’s £40 million asking price, a figure that may exceed Forest’s willingness to spend. Liverpool have indicated they would retain Curtis Jones if the £40 million fee is not matched, underscoring the midfielder’s importance despite his recent positional shift. At 25, Jones is entering the prime of his career, and the club believes selling him would weaken an already thin squad depth. The Reds must therefore generate funds elsewhere while deciding whether to replace Diomande and keep Jones amid ongoing contract negotiations.