RB Leipzig and Liverpool begin transfer talks over ‘fearless’ £50m English star | Football

RB Leipzig have entered transfer talks with Liverpool over a deal to sign their ‘fearless’ £50m English star Harvey Elliott, according to reports.

The German club are interested in recruiting Elliott as a replacement for Xavi Simons, who is expected to join Chelsea in the summer window.

Liverpool want £50m to sell the 22-year-old, although they’d be open to offers of £40m if a buy-back clause was inserted into the deal.

The Athletic report that RB Leipzig have made contact with Liverpool and discussions – which are currently ongoing – are at an early stage.

Elliott only started two Premier League matches for Liverpool in the 2024-25 campaign in what was Arne Slot’s debut season as head coach.

But former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was a huge fan of Elliott, previously labelling him as ‘fearless’ and a ‘great footballer’.

Elliott, who can play as an attacking midfielder, central midfielder or right winger, has registered 15 goals and 20 assists in 147 games for the Reds.

He moved to Anfield from Fulham six years ago, with Liverpool paying the west London club an initial £1.5m plus £2.8m in contingent amounts.

Elliott has also attracted interest from Premier League club West Ham ahead of the new season.

Speaking in July, Elliott admitted that he was open to leaving Liverpool over a lack of playing time.

Harvey Elliott: I kind of need to be selfish

‘Look, if I had it my way, I’d be here for the rest of my career, it’s as simple as that, I love everything about the club,’ Elliott told The Anfield Wrap.

‘But at the same time I kind of need to be selfish with myself and see what’s best for me.

‘I have big ambitions. I want to go to the World Cup. I want to keep being successful as a player.

‘I think it’s still something I need to review. I need to have a talk with everyone, really and review the situation because we’ve had many new players come in, so whether it blocks the path for me I’m not sure, it’s something I need to decide and have a look at.

‘My main focus is here now. At the moment I’m here for the season, as far as I’m aware, unless if anything changes, we have a busy pre-season, it’s non-stop, I need to make sure I’m focus on that and just be ready for everything.’

Elliott was one of England’s standout performers at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship over the summer.

He was crowned UEFA’s official Player of the Tournament after scoring five goals in the competition from midfield.

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