Former England striker backs Liverpool midfielder Jones to follow in McTominay footsteps amid Inter links

Emile Heskey has backed Curtis Jones to make a move away from Liverpool this summer, suggesting the midfielder’s contract situation points towards an imminent departure, and drawing a direct comparison with Scott McTominay’s transformative switch to Napoli as evidence that a move to Serie A could revive Jones’s career.

Speaking to Live Football Tickets, with qutoes via FCInter1908, the former Liverpool and England striker offered an illuminating insight into what he believes is driving the speculation.

“I would be very surprised if he was not pushing for a new contract,” Heskey said. “So there is something that tells me they are not willing to offer him what he wants. Either they are not willing to offer him a new contract, or they are not willing to offer him what he desires.”

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA – JUNE 5: Scott McTominay of Scotland warms up during a training session at Florida Blue Training Center on June 5, 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images)

Heskey draws McTominay comparison as Inter eye Jones with one year left on Liverpool deal

On Jones’s qualities and ambitions, Heskey was complimentary.

“He aspires to become a regular starter for the England national team,” he said.

“He needs to play regularly, and I think he can become a regular for England, but he needs to play regularly at his club. Take Scott McTominay, he went to play in Italy and was praised for it. It really changed the way people see him as a footballer. I think Curtis has the ability to do that. He has great potential, he has leadership and he can play in different positions.”

McTominay‘s career was in real danger of stalling in the Premier League, but his move from Manchester United to Napoli completely turned it around. Since his arrival in Italy, McTominay has lifted a Scudetto and was named the league’s MVP in the 24/25 season.

Inter remain the frontrunners for Jones, who has one year remaining on his Liverpool contract.