This summer transfer window has acted as a period of change for Liverpool, and it has felt at times like the transition from the end of the Jürgen Klopp reign to the start of the Arne Slot one. Whilst this will be Slot's second season at the club, last year's Premier League-winning campaign was predominantly done with his predecessor's signings, with the exception of Federico Chiesa.
Prominent members of Liverpool's front line have departed the club this summer, including Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, which have helped fund new faces. Liverpool's opening day win against Bournemouth has demonstrated Slot’s favour towards his own signings, as four of the starting eleven were signings from this summer.
Slot now looks likely to remove another one of Klopp's favourites as a German club are prepared to offer Liverpool a massive return on their investment.
RB Leipzig preparing bid for Elliott as personal terms agreed
RB Leipzig are preparing to submit a bid worth £25.9 million for Liverpool and England attacking midfielder, Harvey Elliott. This report comes from the Empire of the Kop, who stated that Liverpool's valuation of Elliott is closer to £34.5 million, and the gap between the two figures will “potentially be bridged through structured payments and add-ons”.
Liverpool's Harvey Elliott celebrates
Liverpool's Harvey Elliott celebrates
This deal will see Liverpool receive more than 500% profit on Elliott, given that he only cost them £4.3 million when they signed him from Fulham in 2019.
Elliott has fallen out of favour at Liverpool since Slot took over, with his appearances dropping from 53 in all competitions during the 23/24 campaign to 28 appearances in all competitions in the 24/25 campaign. Since departing Liverpool, Klopp has taken over as Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull and may be one of the figures behind recruiting Elliott.
Empire of the Kop also report that Elliot has come to terms with the fact that he does not feature heavily in Slot’s plans and is accepting a move to the Bundesliga, having already agreed personal terms in principle. These personal terms include a pay rise where he'll increase from the £2.08 million that he earns each year at Liverpool to a new salary between £2.6 million and £3.4 million a year.
Elliott's transfer adds to Slot's forward depth issues
While Elliott didn't feature prominently for Slot last season, his departure would still add to the minutes that need to be made up. Slot's new-look forward line will have to make up for the minutes of the recently sold Diaz and Nunez, as well as those of Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in the summer.
Premier League Minutes Last Season
Jota 1,194
Diaz 2,410
Nunez 1,118
Elliott 360
Total 5,082
Whilst it may seem like a mammoth task to make up 5,082 minutes, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitiké came close to that last season. Across the last Bundesliga campaign, the pair racked up 4,933 minutes of game time, only 149 minutes short of what the listed players played combined.