Liverpool are in talks with Bayer Leverkusen over what would be a club-record deal for Florian Wirtz but the Bundesliga outfit are said to be eyeing some of their rivals' players
Liverpool are working hard to try and find a breakthrough in their bid to push through a blockbuster summer transfer for Florian Wirtz - and it has now been suggested that a deal could hinge on Harvey Elliott.
Elliott, 22, is a player Bayer Leverkusen admire and, as such, there is interest in him heading in the opposite direction if the Bundesliga outfit do give Wirtz the green light to pursue a dream move to the Premier League champions.
In the case of Elliott, it remains to be seen if a move to Germany would appeal. But the talented midfielder has found regular football hard to come by under Arne Slot.
He started just twice in the Premier League last season, where he made 18 appearances in total. And the former Fulham prospect has already hinted that he may need to consider his future this summer.
Speaking after Liverpool were beaten 3-2 away at Brighton in their penultimate game of the season last month, Elliott admitted: "You try not to get too carried away with the celebrations, we've worked really hard throughout the season.
"Some lads, like myself, haven't played as much throughout the season, and it's about going out and enjoying it. We want to win and enjoy it. We need to take the positives and take it into the final game next week."
Elliott further fuelled such talk when he was spotted in tears on the pitch after Liverpool were coronated as champions just six days later.
He once again alluded that he could be on the move this summer after admitting "you never know what's going to happen". He said: “I think this one, I’ve played more of a part in winning the league [than the Reds' 2020 triumph].
“The season that we won it last time I was still a young kid, I think I only made four appearances or something like that. So now it definitely feels like I’ve been in and around it a lot.
“Since coming back from my injury I’ve been in every squad, so just being part of it, just doing the travelling, the away games, all the stuff outside of playing, it feels a lot greater this time.
“I’m just trying to enjoy every experience of it, because you never know what’s going to happen.
“You can’t take these moments for granted, you just need to enjoy it as much as you can, celebrate as much as you can as well.”
With Elliott seemingly open to an exit and Leverkusen interested in bringing him to Germany, it would seem the theory of he and Wirtz swapping clubs may have some legs.
Liverpool have now seen a second bid for Wirtz worth £109million rejected and are is still some way short of Leverkusen's £126m valuation. The prospect of landing Elliott could, though, soften Leverkusen's stance and help all parties find a breakthrough.