Report: Bundesliga side close to deal as Liverpool weigh transfer decision | OneFootball

RB Leipzig Closing in on Harvey Elliott Deal as Liverpool Face Summer Dilemma

Liverpool may be about to lose one of their brightest young talents, with Empire of the Kop reporting that RB Leipzig are preparing an official bid for Harvey Elliott. The Bundesliga club have already reached a verbal agreement on personal terms with the 22-year-old, leaving the focus firmly on negotiating a transfer fee.

Elliott’s Struggles for Game Time

The England under-21 international has found himself on the fringes since Arne Slot’s arrival. As Empire of the Kop noted, Elliott has “reluctantly ‘accepted his fate’ that he’s unlikely to break into Arne Slot’s preferred starting XI.” The numbers tell their own story: just six minutes in the Community Shield and no appearance in the Premier League win over Bournemouth.

It’s a tough reality for a player once tipped to be a central figure in Liverpool’s future. In fact, the article highlights how Elliott has “featured for only 845 minutes since the Dutchman replaced Jurgen Klopp in the summer of 2024.”

Leipzig’s Offer and Liverpool’s Valuation

RB Leipzig are expected to table an offer around €30m (£25.9m), while Liverpool’s valuation sits closer to €40m (£34.5m). As Empire of the Kop explained, that gap “could be bridged through structured payments and add-ons.”

Photo: IMAGO

A four-year deal worth €3m-€4m annually has reportedly been agreed in principle with Elliott, representing a significant rise on his current wage. From a financial perspective, Liverpool would be making a considerable profit on the £1.5m outlay paid to Fulham in 2019.

A Risky Call for Liverpool

While a sale would make sense in business terms, the sporting implications are less clear. As Empire of the Kop warned, “the worry for LFC supporters is that selling Elliott might leave the squad worryingly light in the final third.” With Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez and Ben Doak already departed, plus the devastating loss of Diogo Jota in July, depth is becoming a serious concern.

If Newcastle continue to stand firm on Alexander Isak, Liverpool could face a scenario where they lose a promising talent without a clear replacement lined up.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this is a move filled with mixed emotions. On one hand, Elliott’s potential remains undoubted. His technical ability, composure in possession, and versatility across midfield and attack have been praised since his Fulham breakthrough. Losing him now, just as he approaches the stage where consistent minutes could bring out his best, feels premature.

At the same time, his lack of opportunities under Slot cannot be ignored. Footballers thrive on rhythm, and being reduced to cameo roles isn’t sustainable for a player of Elliott’s age. RB Leipzig, with their track record of nurturing young talent, represent an appealing destination. If he follows in the footsteps of players like Christopher Nkunku or Dominik Szoboszlai, he could thrive in Germany.

The real dilemma lies in squad depth. Liverpool’s attacking options are already thin, and unless a high-quality forward is brought in, selling Elliott could leave the team short across multiple competitions. Fans are entitled to question whether the timing is right, especially with the Premier League season in full swing.