Even considering the chaos that typically engulfs football during the closing hours of a transfer window, the late interest in Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones last month certainly raised a few eyebrows. Italian heavyweights Inter Milan revealed their intentions on Friday, January 30, and, with Liverpool gearing up for a crucial Premier League fixture against Newcastle the following evening, it was an overture reportedly swiftly dismissed.

Whilst the Nerazzurri’s approach was never privately denied as false, inquiries into the reports were met with a strong response that the Reds had no intention of depleting their squad, especially so close to the window’s closure, set for 7pm the following Monday.

In reality, Liverpool were seeking to bolster their ranks, with their frantic search for defensive reinforcements eventually leading them to RB Leipzig for a deal involving Lutsharel Geertruida. Given Inter’s contact regarding Jones, it doesn’t require a huge leap of faith to believe the rumours that Denzel Dumfries, the Dutch international right-back, was also discussed during those brief negotiations.

Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings.

It wouldn’t be surprising if Inter started to look at Jones more favourably after his standout performance at the San Siro, where the Reds handed the Italian side their first home Champions League defeat in three years earlier in December.

If the England international appeared at ease in one of Europe’s most iconic stadiums, it could be argued that it stems from the confidence he exudes whilst representing his boyhood club.

Yet whilst the approach from Inter was understood to have been brief before receiving a firm rebuff, the contact itself suggests some subtle encouragement from behind the scenes by a player who is rapidly approaching the final 12 months of his Merseyside contract.

Arne Slot, though, has an alternative explanation for why Inter felt emboldened to make contact regarding the 25-year-old’s situation at Liverpool. The head coach believes it is the club’s “model of sustainability” that gives interested parties reason to think they might have an opportunity to negotiate a deal for any squad member.

“I think it is perfectly normal that very good football players are in the interest of big clubs, like us, trying to extend with him and clubs wanting to sign him,” Slot said.

“And if you go to the end of your contract, I think it is also normal that other big clubs think: ‘Hmmm, maybe there’s a deal to be done’. Because, and I am saying this every time I am standing here lately, you know our model.

“Other clubs know our model as well, so other clubs might think: ‘Okay, there is no use calling them because they don’t sell’, we have a different model. So that could be the reason why there has been some links with other clubs.”

Slot highlighted the amount of game time Jones has received under his management as evidence that he is nearer to regular first-team football than ever before at Liverpool.

With 12 matches left this season, an injury-free spell gives the city-born player the opportunity to surpass his current record for most league appearances in a single campaign, which stands at 33 from last season.

Eleven more games will see him achieve this.

However, Slot recently admitted that Jones is keen to be a more consistent starter, and being benched for the goalless draw against Arsenal last month ended a streak of seven consecutive starts across all competitions.

In the eight matches since, Jones has only started twice, with one of those starts coming against Barnsley in the FA Cup. He was not selected for the match against Manchester City last weekend, despite Dominik Szoboszlai having to fill in at right-back on the day.

Jones may face a summer of introspection as he considers his career path, and it would be a bitter pill for locals to swallow if they saw another ‘Scouser in the team’ leave, following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid last year.

Tottenham have reportedly shown interest, and it remains uncertain whether Inter Milan will re-enter the fray when the transfer window reopens.

Slot, however, has indicated that he and the club are preparing for Jones to fulfil the remainder of his contract at Liverpool. This leaves the door open for the academy product to join a growing list of players entering a season with their long-term futures uncertain.

Slot recently hinted that negotiations are underway regarding a new deal, but past experience suggests these talks may take some time before a conclusion is reached one way or another.

“He is a Liverpool player and I think I have said this a few times, he is good enough to play for us, to start for us,” Slot added.

“He is a very good player but the only line where we don’t have issues is the midfield and he has been playing the last 18 months more than he ever has in his time at Liverpool. So that tells you a lot about the development he has made.

“But he is also in competition with a lot of players that I also like and they have done very well for this club as well. So, yeah, he will be part of our plans for the upcoming weeks, months and also for next season.”

EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page