Liverpool have received a new approach from Inter Milan for Curtis Jones.
Jones remains a top target for the reigning Serie A champions despite seeing a £21 million offer for the homegrown midfielder rejected at the end of June.
The England international is now in the final 12 months of his current Anfield contract and will be free to negotiate a free transfer with overseas clubs from January 1.
He would become the fifth player to leave as a free agent in three seasons after Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate.
But the Nerazzurri are hoping to test the Reds’ resolve with an improved bid of £30M despite the figure falling below their ongoing valuation of closer to £40M.
Andoni Iraola has made retaining Jones’ services a priority during his formative weeks in the hot seat as part of attempts to preserve the club’s local heartbeat.
Jones was embroiled in an on-field row with teammate Dominik Szoboszlai at the end of Liverpool’s friendly win over Wrexham in New York on Wednesday night.
The 25-year-old appeared unimpressed seemingly that the Hungarian did not hand over the captain’s armband to him after being substituted during the second half.