Leeds United ‘approached’ for Harvey Elliott as £35m clause shapes Liverpool deal | OneFootball

Leeds have been handed a route to sign Harvey Elliott, yet a £35m appearance clause tied to his Aston Villa stint complicates matters. The club have not decided whether to proceed.

TeamTalk claims Leeds are among five clubs contacted over a deal, alongside Brentford, Brighton, Fulham and Newcastle, and that Villa have limited Elliott’s minutes to avoid triggering a £35m payment to Liverpool for a player they do not want long term.

This reframes the issue from a failed loan to a contract-driven scenario that clouds judgement of his current level. It may also explain Leeds’ pause.

Elliott, 23, already has 93 Premier League appearances and five goals. He broke through unusually early as one of the division’s youngest players, then moved from Fulham to Liverpool for a relatively modest fee and was used rotationally.

He can operate as an attacking midfielder, central midfielder or right winger, offering Daniel Farke immediate tactical flexibility. That versatility is appealing, but it also points to a player yet to lock down a single role.

His trajectory was interrupted in September 2021 when Pascal Struijk was sent off for a challenge in Leeds’ game with Liverpool that left Elliott with a dislocated ankle and required surgery. The episode remains a factor when assessing his development.

Leeds are weighing opportunity against warning, with two-time Premier League winner Elliott’s situation shaped as much by circumstance as performance. Any move could hinge on the price Liverpool are prepared to accept.

Source: Leedsunited.news