West Ham have broken their silence on a move for Liverpool star Harvey Elliott and have denied a claim being made by reporter Alex Crook.
Hammers News exclusive
The Hammers have provided clarity on where things really stand on their bid to try and sign talented Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott, who is looking to leave in search of more game time.
Liverpool had been heavily linked with a move for West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus going into the summer transfer window.
Selling the Ghanaian was key to the Hammers making signings due to PSR.
West Ham turn attentions to Liverpool star for second signing
In the end Reds boss Arne Slot turned down the opportunity and West Ham were forced to sell him to rivals Spurs instead as they were ‘the only show in town’.
While Liverpool have been on something of a transfer rampage, West Ham are now only just getting started after banking £54.5m from the Kudus sale.
Left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf has been unveiled as West Ham’s first permanent signing of the Graham Potter era.
Attentions have now turned to Liverpool bit-part playmaker Elliott.
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A journalist with strong contacts inside the Hammers claimed at the weekend West Ham are ‘confident’ of doing a deal with Liverpool for Elliott.
Harvey Elliott lifts the Premier League trophy after Liverpool FC v Crystal Palace FC
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
When fan frustration was building over a lack of transfer activity, West Ham revealed why plans were delayed – chiefly because many of their targets were taking part in the Under 21 European Championships.
Two of those players are said to be Liverpool’s Elliott and Tyler Morton.
The Hammers made an enquiry about conditions to sign Elliott from Liverpool while he was starring for the Under 21s, scoring crucial goals as he led England to glory while being named player of the tournament.
West Ham share truth on Elliott move as Crook claim denied
Elliott is said to have grown frustrated by a lack of game time at Anfield with both the player and club accepting he must move on.
His chances of game time have also not been improved by Liverpool’s impressive transfer drive this summer.
Elliott was seen in tears on the pitch after Liverpool’s last game of the season – suggesting he knew it could be his last for the team he has supported all his life.
West Ham have been made aware Liverpool are open to selling the 22-year-old.
Harvey Elliott celebrates winning player of the tournament after leading England to Euro Under 21s glory
Photo by Tullio Puglia – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
And revamping an old, immobile midfield which is sorely lacking in guile is a serious issue for Potter and his West Ham rebuild.
A move for Elliott ticks plenty of boxes, especially after the departure of Kudus and with the future of Lucas Paqueta in doubt even if he beats spot-fixing charges.
In the reports claiming West Ham were ‘confident’ of a deal for Elliott, it was stated a bid was imminent once the Hammers had signed Diouf.
Now West Ham have shared the truth on a move for Liverpool star Elliott as an Alex Crook claim is denied.
Writing in his talkSPORT Transfer Notebook, Crook claims West Ham’s move for Elliott is off.
The reporter even states the Hammers have already moved on to alternative targets.
Hammers respond to claims Elliott move is off
“West Ham face being priced out of a move for Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott,” Crook said.
“The Hammers have held talks with Liverpool over England Under-21 hero Elliott, however, talkSPORT understands the Reds’ asking price of £40m-plus is likely to be too rich for the East Enders.”
That disappointing news has been denied by the Hammers, though.
Hammers News put Crook’s Elliott claim to the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners.
And the response gives a glimmer of hope it may still be possible.
“It’s a tough market this summer,” the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners exclusively told Hammers News.
“With Elliott there is a chance, it is only a small chance, but never say never.”