Liverpool’s blockbuster £116 million signing of Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz has sent ripples through Anfield, with reports emerging on June 29, 2025, that 22-year-old midfielder Harvey Elliott is now open to leaving the club.
The news, fueled by posts on X, indicates Elliott is reconsidering his future due to the arrival of the German playmaker, who is set to occupy the attacking midfield role Elliott has often filled.
The potential departure of the former Fulham prodigy, who has been a fan favorite, has stunned supporters and could reshape Liverpool’s squad as they prepare for the 2025/26 season under Arne Slot.
Elliott, who made 53 appearances last season with three goals and eight assists, faces increased competition following Wirtz’s £100 million (plus £16 million in add-ons) move, which broke Liverpool’s transfer record.
Wirtz’s 16 goals and 15 assists in 45 games for Leverkusen last season, along with his versatility as a No. 10 or winger, threaten Elliott’s minutes, especially with Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, and Cody Gakpo locking down the wide areas. Sources suggest Tottenham Hotspur and several Premier League clubs are eyeing Elliott, with Liverpool potentially entertaining offers exceeding £40 million.
His 74 dribbles and 42 key passes last season highlight his value, but Slot’s preference for Wirtz’s “exquisite” playmaking, as noted by Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, could push Elliott out.
Fans on X are buzzing, with some expressing dismay, like @LFC4Life, posting, “Elliott leaving after Wirtz? Gutted, he’s our future!” Others, like @FootyInsider, see it as pragmatic, noting, “£40m+ for Elliott funds more signings.”
Elliott’s openness to a move follows Liverpool’s busy summer, including Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5m), Milos Kerkez (£40m), and Freddie Woodman (free), with Darwin Nunez also linked to Napoli and Ibrahima Konaté’s future uncertain.
The Reds’ £181.5 million Premier League and Champions League revenue, per The Athletic, supports their spending, but Elliott’s potential exit—after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid—raises concerns about squad cohesion.
Slot’s vision, centered on Wirtz as the “fulcrum in attack,” per Raphael Honigstein, aims to evolve Liverpool’s title-winning side, but losing Elliott’s work rate and creativity could be a blow.
As negotiations for a new striker, potentially Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, continue, Liverpool face a delicate balancing act to maintain their dominance while managing squad dynamics.
