West Ham United head coach Graham Potter
West Ham United head coach Graham Potter has suffered a significant setback in his push to sign Harvey Elliott as the Liverpool star has not given indications that he is keen to embark on a fresh challenge at the London Stadium ahead of the upcoming season, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
The Hammers have confirmed Senegal international El Hadji Malick Diouf as their latest acquisition after joining on a long-term contract from Slavia Prague, which will provide the likes of Emerson Palmieri and Ollie Scarles with fresh competition for a regular starting berth at left-back.
But the £55million departure of Mohammed Kudus to arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur, which was announced last week, has resulted in West Ham being eager to invest in fresh attacking options ahead of their Premier League campaign getting underway with a trip to newly-promoted Sunderland next month.
Potter Suffers Blow in Pursuit of Elliott Swoop
Midfielder giving no indications of being keen to join east Londoners
Harvey Elliott during a pre-match warm-up with Liverpool
Harvey Elliott during a pre-match warm-up with Liverpool
Elliott is not showing interest in completing a move to West Ham, according to GMS sources, which has come as a major blow for Potter as there had been hope that the tactician and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay would be able to convince Liverpool to lower their £40million demands if he made it clear that he was open to heading to the capital.
The attacking midfielder has been described as 'special' and enjoyed a summer to remember after spearheading the England under-21 side to European Championships glory, resulting in the Hammers and a host of other admirers contemplating whether to enter negotiations for his signature.
GMS sources have been informed that Elliott's price tag is out of West Ham's reach but, having seen him struggle to make himself one of the first names on the team sheet during the 2024/25 campaign, there has been an eagerness to turn his head and persuade him to consider a switch from Liverpool after being pinpointed as a target by Potter.
Harvey Elliott's statistics for Liverpool during the 2024/25 campaign
Harvey Elliott's statistics for Liverpool during the 2024/25 campaign
The reigning Premier League champions are in a strong negotiating position and under no pressure to sell the former Fulham youngster as he still has two years remaining on a contract which allows him to pocket £40,000-per-week, complicating matters for members of the Hammers' recruitment department.
West Ham need Elliott to be on board with a potential move and push for his valuation to drop if the east Londoners are to have any chance of striking a deal with their domestic counterparts, GMS sources have learned, but he has not given assurances that he is prepared to agitate to leave Liverpool for the London Stadium.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Harvey Elliott averaged a goal every 95 minutes for the England under-21 side at the European Championships this summer
Hammers Struggle to Match Elliott Ambitions
England under-21 international eager to remain at highest level
Harvey Elliott in action for the England under-21 side
Harvey Elliott in action for the England under-21 side
GMS sources have been told that West Ham's inability to offer European action in the upcoming campaign has hindered their pursuit of Elliott as, if he is to seal his departure from Liverpool, he does not want to give up on competing at the highest level and has remained ambitious despite struggling to work his way into the forefront of boss Arne Slot's plans.
The Merseyside giants were ordered to pay Fulham up to £4million in compensation after they tempted him to Anfield as a 16-year-old and it has been acknowledged that the ex-Blackburn Rovers loanee's current employers are on course to make a lucrative profit if they allow him to move onto pastures new.
Elliott is only prepared to walk away from Liverpool ahead of the transfer window slamming shut on September 1 if an attractive proposition comes his way, GMS sources understand, and he is still firmly in West Ham's sights as they go in search of reinforcements following Kudus' decision to join Tottenham.
GMS sources recently revealed that Newcastle United are also among the sides showing interest in the 22-year-old, with the Magpies able to hand him the chance to remain involved in the Champions League, and that has highlighted that Potter is facing stiff competition for an agreement.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 15/07/2025
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