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Andoni Iraola's dream Curtis Jones replacement as Liverpool sign 78m star everyone wants

Curtis Jones's future is up in the air and that could represent an opportunity for Liverpool

[Curtis Jones.]

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Curtis Jones could be on the way out the door(Image: Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

One option stands out above all the rest if Liverpool opt to replace Curtis Jones before deadline day. Jones is nearing a move to Inter Milan in the summer transfer window.

That's despite boss Andoni Iraola admitting he would like to keep the midfielder at Liverpool for the upcoming season. Speaking in July, the Reds boss dubbed him a "great player" and urged him to remain at Anfield.

He said: "Its very important that hes Scouse, that hes from here. I also like the personality. From the outside at least he looks like a player with good character and I hope we can keep him, not only for this year but for more time."

But it looks like Iraola won't be getting his wish. Inter Milan have been after Jones since January and look to have reached a breakthrough in talks for the 25-year-old.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Serie A side have a verbal agreement in place with Liverpool for a deal totalling 35million (30m). It will leave Iraola a little short in midfield, both in more general terms and when it comes to proven experience.

In an ideal scenario, a Jones exit would be followed by a swift replacement and one of a higher calibre. Iraola's dream replacement on that basis would potentially be Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton; a player who has long been linked with a move to Liverpool.

The 22-year-old is in high demand, with reported interest in him also coming from the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea.

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[Adam Wharton.]

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Adam Wharton could be the perfect addition to Iraola's side(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)

Palace are desperate to keep hold of the midfielder and have slapped a 78m price tag on his head. His acquisition would act as the perfect defensive reinforcement for Iraola, with his impressive rate of interceptions and his short-passing game marking him out as a quality addition.

Not only that but Liverpool would also be getting a player yet to hit the peak of his powers. Wharton has excelled both at home and in Europe at the age of 22. There can be no doubt that there is still plenty more to come from the former Blackburn Rovers man.

To that end he would fit seamlessly into a team that looks to have progression in its DNA. Hugo Ekitike is still only 24, Jeremy Jacquet is 21, Giovanni Leoni is 19, Florian Wirtz and Victor Munoz are both 23, while Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumhoa are also in their teens. All of them would expect to be in and around the Liverpool first-team this season.

Adding Wharton to the line-up would also allow Ryan Gravenberch to play further forward and provide assistance to Dominik Szoboszlai in attacking areas.

Of course, the England international wouldn't come cheap. But as dream replacements go, Wharton would be at the top of the list.

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