West Ham’s board are said to be confident about completing a sensational deal for Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott — but the move comes with a big catch.
Ahead of a reportedly imminent opening bid, one key condition could make or break any West Ham deal with Liverpool.
But a claim from a journalist close to Hammers chief David Sullivan suggests West Ham are willing to meet it.
Liverpool have endured a summer of wildly contrasting emotions.
Arne Slot looks to be winning the summer transfer window with his Anfield additions.
Hammers turn focus to Liverpool’s Elliott after Diouf
However, the tragic loss of Liverpool star Diogo Jota has put everything sharply into perspective.
While the Reds have been spending big, West Ham have been having to wait for players to be sold in order to start making signings for Graham Potter.
After controversially offloading Mohammed Kudus to Spurs, the Hammers need a new attacking midfielder.
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One who plays with his head up and passes to his teammates would be a good place to start as Graham Potter looks to improve the starting XI.
So fresh links to Liverpool ace Harvey Elliott are exciting West Ham fans.
Harvey Elliott celebrates scoring the winner during Paris Saint-Germain v Liverpool FC - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 First Leg
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
As frustration was building over a lack of new arrivals in east London, Hammers News reported that West Ham claimed transfer activity was delayed because many of their targets were taking part in the Under 21 European Championships.
Two of those players were Liverpool’s Elliott and Tyler Morton.
It was confirmed at the end of last month that the Hammers made an enquiry about conditions to sign Elliott from Liverpool.
Elliott has reportedly grown frustrated at his lack of game time at Anfield and both he and the club have accepted he must move on from the club he supported as a boy.
Elliott was seen in tears on the pitch after Liverpool’s last game of the season – suggesting he knew it could be his last in the Red shirt.
West Ham board ‘confident’ of deal with Liverpool for Elliott
West Ham have been made aware Liverpool are open to selling the 22-year-old.
Midfield is a serious issue for Potter and his West Ham rebuild, so a move for Elliott makes perfect sense, especially after the departure of Kudus.
The Liverpool bit-part player was the player of the tournament as he scored two brilliant goals in the semi-finals to lead England to the final against Germany, where he scored again to lift the trophy.
West Ham have finally sealed a first signing of the summer with Slavia Prague and Senegal left-back El Hadji Diouf on his way to east London.
The 20-year-old will be joining in a deal which could surpass £22m if add-ons are achieved.
Now the West Ham board are ‘confident’ of a sensational deal with Liverpool for Elliott but it comes with a catch.
Harvey Elliott scores to help put England Under 21s on course for Euro Championship glory
Photo by Tullio Puglia – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg is known to source information from West Ham majority owner Sullivan.
He claims West Ham are going to follow up the signing of Diouf by making an ambitious move for Liverpool’s Elliott.
Steinberg claims Elliott is a ‘key target’ for Potter and he states his sources have told him there is optimism at West Ham that a deal will be possible.
Previous reports had suggested Liverpool were looking for as much as £40m for Elliott.
Given West Ham’s financial situation and need for at least five further signings, £40m deals may be out of the club’s reach this summer, even with further sales.
Deals at around £20-30m will likely be West Ham’s limit.
West Ham have pledged to give Potter ‘every penny’ of the Kudus money.
West Ham deal for Elliott would come with a catch
Given the way deal fees are usually spread out over the length of a contract, a £30m player would cost West Ham £5m per season on the club’s accounts.
That essentially means – as a crude calculation – the £54.5m for Kudus enables the Hammers to sign five or six £30m players this summer.
It seems likely West Ham will try to negotiate Liverpool down to around £30m for Elliott.
But there will be a massive asterisk on any such deal.
Earlier this month Hammers News reported on the revelation that Liverpool will lower the price West Ham have to pay for Elliott if a buy-back option is included in the deal.
The Reds are insisting on such a clause given Elliott’s age and obvious class and potential.
It was claimed Liverpool may lower their £40m valuation if the buying club agree to the clause.
That may well be why West Ham’s board are reportedly confident of agreeing a deal with Liverpool for Elliott.
But there is a very obvious down-side.
Potter has stated he wants to build a young team who can grow together.
Clearly if Elliott does well in the claret and blue, the spectre of Liverpool coming in and taking him back to Anfield would cast a shadow over the London Stadium.
The up-side for the Hammers is that scenario would mean Elliott and West Ham are doing exceptionally well. So it’s no bad thing.
There will be nothing the Hammers can do to stop him leaving should that situation rear its head, though.
Perhaps having that guaranteed future value from Liverpool is not a bad thing given the poor return on investment West Ham have had for too many years now when it comes to recruitment.
If the clause means West Ham get Elliott in their side for a season or two, perhaps it is a small price to pay.