The Nerazzurri are preparing to return with a fresh offer for Jones after the England international was left out of Liverpool's squad for a third straight friendly, this time against Como, while at the other end of the age spectrum Inter have quietly tied down one of the standout performers of their own preseason.
On Jones, Fabrizio Romano reported on his YouTube channel that Inter Milan remain determined to get a deal over the line before the window closes.
"This is the third match in a row in which Curtis Jones hasn't featured for Liverpool, because he continues to hope for Inter. He's not training, officially it's a hip issue, but in reality Inter are ready behind the scenes to try again.
"From the start of the week, Inter are ready to get serious. We'll see whether it's this week or the final week, but Inter will try again — that much is certain. The figures will make the difference, we'll see what Liverpool decide to do, but Jones is doing everything he can to get to Inter," Romano said.
Liverpool have so far held out for a fee in the region of €40 million, though recent reporting suggests their valuation may be softening, with Inter believed to be readying an offer closer to €35 million. Any move remains contingent on Inter first completing the departure of Davide Frattesi, whose sale is expected to help fund the club's pursuit of the 25-year-old midfielder.
While the Jones saga plays out, Inter have moved to secure their own academy talent.
Leonardo Bovio, an 18-year-old central defender who emerged as one of the standout performers of the club's summer friendlies alongside Andy Diouf, has signed a new long-term contract with the club, Romano confirmed on social media. "Decision made weeks ago and now it's all signed," he wrote.
Bovio made the most of the opportunities handed to him by head coach Cristian Chivu during preseason, showing composure and quality despite his young age, and was named in the starting line-up for Inter's final preseason friendly against Real Betis ahead of the new Serie A campaign — another solid display that further convinced the club to invest in his future.
Having progressed through Inter's youth ranks, Bovio is now positioned as a player the club intends to track closely as he continues his development.
The two storylines underline Inter's approach to squad-building this summer: pursuing an established Premier League midfielder for the here and now, while protecting the club's next generation of talent from interest elsewhere.