The Curtis Jones Deadlock: Marotta Could Pivot to the €60M Paz Dream

The Liverpool Wall

Negotiations for Curtis Jones have hit a brick wall, and the blame lies squarely on the shoulders of the Liverpool board. According to reports from The Telegraph and Fabrizio Romano, the English club is demanding a specialized "Premier League tax" for a player with only twelve months left on his contract. While Inter has indicated a ceiling of €20M to €25M, the Reds are holding firm at a staggering £35M (around €40M). It is a ridiculous stance for a player who could walk for free in just six months, and Marotta is not known for being a "pollastra" in these situations.

Turning the Page to Nico Paz

The deadlock in the Jones negotiation has sparked a spectacular pivot in Viale della Liberazione. Instead of overpaying for a squad player from Merseyside, Inter is reportedly shifting its significant resources toward the "dream" candidate: Nico Paz. The 21-year-old Argentine sensation has completely taken Serie A by storm under Cesc Fabregas at Como. Inter is seriously preparing a €60M offer to outmaneuver the complex buy-back situation held by Real Madrid.

The Zanetti Ace Card

Wait, how can Inter afford €60M? The math is simple: the funds originally earmarked for Curtis Jones, combined with the expected capital gains from the sales of Davide Frattesi and potentially Aleksandar Stanković, are being pooled for a "masterclass" signing. Inter’s secret weapon isn't just the Oaktree budget, but Javier Zanetti. Pupi played with Nico’s father, Pablo Paz, for the Argentina national team in the late 90s. That bridge of trust is already being used to convince the player that the San Siro is the only place to truly fulfill his potential before Real Madrid even considers their buy-back rights.

A Complex Triple-Threat Deal

The situation is a chess match involving three clubs. Real Madrid holds a buy-back clause (approx. €10M) and a 50% sell-on fee. For Inter to get Nico Paz, they likely need Real to exercise that buy-back and then immediately flip him to Milano for €60M—a move that would net Madrid a massive profit and Como a significant consolation prize. It’s the kind of complex, high-finance operation that gives Marotta his "Wizard" reputation. If Liverpool wants to stay stubborn over €40M for a contract-rebel, Inter is more than happy to take that money and spend it on a generational talent like Paz.

The ForzaIM Take

Liverpool’s management is living in a fantasy world if they think we’ll pay €40M for Jones on an expiring deal. Let them keep him. If that stubbornness is what allows Marotta to bring Nico Paz to the San Siro, I’ll personally drive Jones back to Anfield myself. Paz is a 10 who can play as a 10, a mezz’ala, and a superstar. He’s young, talented, and arriving for a fee that shows we are back in the elite of Europe.

Would you rather have Curtis Jones for €25-30M or go all-in on Nico Paz for €60M?

Forza Inter sempre!