Report: Brighton Set Sights on Liverpool Star in Surprise £40m Approach | OneFootball

Elliott Faces Uncertain Future After Wirtz Arrival

Brighton position themselves for £40m swoop

Liverpool’s summer rebuild has begun with decisive clarity. The acquisition of Florian Wirtz — viewed by many as a marquee signing — signals the start of a new era under Arne Slot. The 21-year-old German international has long been on the club’s radar, and his arrival marks a significant statement of intent from a management team looking to reshape a squad that fell short in key moments last season.

But in elite football, every addition has consequences. And for Harvey Elliott, those consequences may be career-defining.

Midfield competition intensifies at Anfield

Wirtz’s signing pushes Liverpool’s midfield depth into a new dimension. With Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, and Curtis Jones already battling for starting roles, Elliott’s path to regular minutes has become narrower.

This midfield cluster, brimming with technical prowess and attacking energy, poses challenges for younger talents trying to make their mark. Elliott, who joined from Fulham in 2019, has been a steady presence in Liverpool’s squad. But the final months of the 2024/25 campaign saw a noticeable shift.

He “became unsettled towards the end of the season as reports of the Reds’ interest in Florian Wirtz intensified.”

Now, with Wirtz officially a Red, Elliott’s position appears increasingly precarious.

Brighton aim to seize opportunity

Brighton & Hove Albion are watching the situation closely. According to The Standard, the Seagulls have identified Elliott as a “key target” and are preparing a £40 million bid to tempt Liverpool into doing business.

Brighton believe their model — one that champions youth, technical flair, and progressive football — can appeal to Elliott’s ambitions. Their intention is clear: they want him to be central to their evolving project. And crucially, they’ve moved quickly.

“Elliott seems ready to move for greener pastures.”

The Seagulls are confident their early push could put them in pole position to land the 21-year-old.

Liverpool yet to make a decision

At this stage, Liverpool have not responded to Brighton’s advances. The club may yet consider Elliott a long-term asset — particularly given his versatility and growing experience. But equally, they are aware of the player’s unease and the growing interest from elsewhere.

“He is thought to have a variety of other clubs interested in his services, both in the Premier League and abroad.”

With pre-season looming and Slot keen to stamp his identity on the squad, Elliott’s future is one of several decisions Liverpool must weigh carefully.

Whether this signals a permanent departure or a loan to facilitate development, Elliott is unlikely to wait long before seeking clarity on his role.

Brighton, meanwhile, are ready to act — and £40 million might just be the starting point in a broader tug-of-war for one of English football’s most intriguing young midfielders.

Harvey Elliott: A Data Profile in Contrasts

There is something quietly deceptive about Harvey Elliott’s 2024/25 campaign. Glancing at Liverpool’s minutes distribution, his name doesn’t dominate. But delve into the radar chart — courtesy of Fbref — and a more nuanced portrait emerges: one of a midfielder operating in pockets of quality, rather than extended dominance.

Elliott, judged against attacking midfielders and wingers, ranks in the 99th percentile for non-penalty goals. That, despite registering just 542 minutes over the last 365 days, is striking. He scores at a rate that belies his appearances, suggesting that when he plays, he produces — and crucially, in decisive moments.

The attacking output is real: 92nd percentile for non-penalty xG, 86th for assists, 85th for expected assisted goals. This isn’t a player simply passing through games. When in possession around the final third, Elliott has the capacity to tilt the pitch. Shot-creating actions (77th percentile) further support that idea — the numbers pointing to a player who contributes meaningfully to end-product, even in cameo roles.

But the profile shifts sharply in the possession and defensive categories. While his pass completion (98th percentile) and progressive passes (also 98th) highlight confidence and vision on the ball, his progressive carries and take-ons drop drastically (12th and 13th percentile respectively), suggesting he prefers to move the ball quickly rather than carry it himself.

Defensively, it’s a mixed bag: high for blocks (90th) and clearances (67th), but far less effective when it comes to aerials or tackling dribblers. His work rate is present, but his role isn’t built around recovery or destruction.

This is a player who thrives in specific tactical contexts — those that value movement, vision, and final-third contributions. The numbers tell us Elliott isn’t peripheral. He’s precise.

Stats source: Fbref.com