Importance Score: 55 / 100 🔵
Liverpool have the opportunity to complete their best piece of business this summer, even after signing Germany’s hottest talent. Florian Wirtz arrived in a £116million deal from Bayer Leverkusen and the Reds seem destined to be one of the busiest Premier League clubs in the transfer window.
To recoup some of the vast sums being spent on Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and potentially Milos Kerkez, Liverpool are selling some of their fringe stars. Jarell Quansah is reportedly close to joining Leverkusen in a £35m agreement. Harvey Elliott has also expressed doubts over his future, and a clever tactic involving the midfielder could represent Liverpool’s best deal this summer.
Leverkusen are reported to have agreed that Liverpool can have a buy-back clause inserted into Quansah’s contract. That allows the Reds to have more control over the next moves of a player they believe to have a bright future at the top of the game.
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A similar pathway should be considered for Elliott. The 22-year-old will have strong interest from Premier League clubs and those abroad.
If Liverpool can agree a deal in the region of £35-40m for the England Under-21 star, but negotiate a buy-back clause into his contract at a new club, that could be the best piece of business sporting director Richard Hughes completes this summer.
Wirtz’s arrival and a new contract for Mohamed Salah mean Elliott is unlikely to earn much game time at Liverpool next season. He made only 18 Premier League appearances last term and his first start came in May, when the title was already wrapped up.
A loan is unlikely to suit Elliott. The former Fulham prospect is at a stage in his career where he needs a settled environment and regular football. Brighton or Crystal Palace are destinations that might be desirable.
But if Liverpool can maintain some power over his future with a buy-back clause, then that would represent excellent business. With more of a say over where Elliott goes next, Liverpool may even be tempted to accept a smaller fee than their current valuation. That would tempt more clubs to the table this summer.
“I’m going to be 23 next season and I don’t really want to be wasting years of my career, as it’s a short career. I just want to improve and be the best player I can be,” Elliott said last week.
“If that’s to go somewhere else, then it’s a decision I’m going to have to make. Nothing makes me want to leave. I love the club, I love the fans, the team. I support them as well. It’s just about what’s best for my career.”
Having power over the future of a top player would be in Liverpool’s best interests.