Inter's Midfield Plan: Frattesi Deal Could Open Path for Curtis Jones
Inter have locked their sights on one name to upgrade Simone Inzaghi’s midfield: Curtis Jones. Everything else is moving around that idea.
The Serie A champions have been biding their time, waiting for two things – exits in their own engine room and a more realistic price from Liverpool – before launching a full assault for the England midfielder. Now Lazio’s interest in Davide Frattesi might finally shake the market into life.
Frattesi–Lazio Talks Open the Door
As reported by Fabrizio Romano (via SOSFanta), Inter and Lazio have started to work on a deal for Frattesi built around a loan with a conditional obligation to buy. It’s a structure that suits all parties on paper.
Frattesi’s priority is simple: he wants to play. He made 33 appearances last season, but only a handful came from the start. For a midfielder in his prime years, cameos are no longer enough.
If Lazio manage to strike a deal, that move would immediately trigger the next step in Inter’s plan. Frattesi out, Jones in. The domino is clear.
Inter Ready to Push for Jones
Inter are prepared to go as high as €35 million for Jones. That’s their line in the sand. Liverpool, though, continue to demand a hefty fee, even with the midfielder on a short-term contract.
Jones is open to the switch. He’s been protected in pre-season, a detail that hasn’t gone unnoticed in Italy. Inter sense an opportunity, but they need room in the squad and on the balance sheet. Frattesi’s exit would provide both.
Lazio’s Complicated Market Game
Per Alfredo Pedullà, Frattesi has been formally offered to Lazio by his agent Giuseppe Riso, who also looks after Mario Gila, Andrea Pinamonti, and Lorenzo Lucca. There’s a network in place, and Lazio know it well.
The capital club had toyed with the idea of a partial swap with Napoli earlier in the window, but that avenue closed when Milan stepped in and snapped up the defender involved. Lazio then turned their attention to Benfica’s Franjo Ivanovic, only to see him head to Lens instead.
That failure has pushed them back toward the Sassuolo product now at Inter. For Frattesi, it would be an ideal landing spot: one of the few clubs where he walks in as a guaranteed starter from day one. The twist, of course, is his past with Roma. A move to the Biancocelesti would add a sharp edge to an already fiery rivalry.
A Deal Full of Friction
On paper, the puzzle fits. Lazio need a ready-made starter in midfield. Frattesi needs minutes. Inter need a sale to go after Jones. Jones wants a bigger role and Inter can offer it.
But the reality is messy. Lazio have consistently struggled to close deals, and Inter are not in the business of handing out discounts on a Scudetto-winning midfielder. Any agreement will be hard-fought, dragged through details and deadlines.
If it happens, though, one transfer out of Milan could unlock another straight back in – and reshape Inter’s midfield for the title defence in one sharp, decisive swing.
