Nottingham Forest are reportedly turning their attention to Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones as a key target for the summer 2026 transfer window. The move comes on the heels of Forest banking a staggering £116 million ($153 million) from selling Elliot Anderson to Manchester City, giving them the kind of war chest that makes ambitious midfield shopping entirely feasible.

Liverpool have set their asking price at £35-40 million for the 25-year-old England international, who enters the final year of his contract at Anfield.

Why Jones, and why now

Jones entering his final 12 months at Liverpool puts everyone in a familiar position. The player gains leverage. The selling club loses it with every passing week.

Liverpool have already rejected two bids from Inter Milan this summer, which tells you two things: there’s genuine continental interest in Jones, and Liverpool believe their valuation is justified.

Forest’s manager Vitor Pereira has reportedly identified midfield reinforcement as a priority heading into the 2026/27 season. Jones is homegrown, Premier League-tested, and still only 25.

The Anderson money changes everything

Spending £35-40 million on Curtis Jones would represent a significant outlay for any club outside the traditional top six. But when you’ve just banked nearly three times that amount from a single sale, it’s a different conversation entirely.

Reports of Forest’s interest first surfaced around June 27-29, 2026, suggesting the club moved quickly once the Anderson deal was finalized.

Inter Milan lurking, but Forest have the edge

The Italian giants have already made two runs at Jones this summer, and both were turned away by Liverpool. Liverpool want £35-40 million, and any serious bidder needs to meet that threshold.

Forest can offer Jones Premier League continuity, which matters for an England international who needs consistent top-flight minutes to maintain his place in the national team setup. If Liverpool don’t extend him and he runs his deal down, he walks for free next summer. That prospect should motivate Liverpool to sell now rather than lose the asset entirely.