Andoni Iraola makes Curtis Jones transfer stance clear as Liverpool talks planned after bids

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SportFootballLiverpool FCAndoni Iraola says he is seeking clarification on Curtis Jones' Liverpool future and admits he wants the midfielder to stayAndoni Iraola has confirmed he will hold talks with Curtis Jones over his future and hopes the midfielder will stay at Liverpool amid transfer interest from Inter.The Italian giants have had two offers rejected by Liverpool since the end of last season with the most recent proposal, sent last month, falling way short of a £35m valuation the club have reluctantly placed on Jones, who now inside the final 12 months of his contract.The city-centre-born midfielder has been assessing his options in an effort to get more game-time having made just 18 starts in the league last time out under Arne Slot, with several of them out of position at right-back.However, Iraola wants Jones to stay with his boyhood club and revealed he was going to use his time yesterday (Monday) to speak to the 25-year-old in an effort to convince him his future remains on Merseyside."I will have the chance to speak with him today," the new Reds head coach said. "I rate Curtis very highly."For me he is a great, great player and I hope he can continue with us and continue performing the way he has been performing."It’s very important that he’s Scouse, that he’s from here.

I also like the personality."From the outside at least he looks like a player with good character and I hope we can keep him, not only for this year but for more time."Iraola, who penned a two-year contract last month after replacing the sacked Slot, added: "I think working in any club, it’s not only the clubs that are fighting for titles."If you analyse the Premier League you see every year the number of managers who get sacked or who don’t continue at the end of the season."From last season to this season I think half of the Premier League will have changed their managers."We assume this job is not easy but, for me, I’m worried about how I build a good team, how I build a team that people can connect with and feel proud of? If we get this I think the rest will get easier."You cannot think in terms of consequences.

Just do your job as good as you can and then everything else will follow. I don’t think it depends on you."Choose Liverpool Echo as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCLiverpool FC transfer newsCurtis JonesAndoni Iraola