Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott has been tipped to make a triumphant return to Anfield in the future, with Brighton actively working on a deal to sign the 22-year-old, according to Football Insider. Elliott’s lack of game time under Arne Slot last season—just two Premier League starts—has fueled speculation about his future, despite his heroics for England Under-21s, where he scored a brace in a 2-1 semi-final victory over the Netherlands at the European Under-21 Championship. With Brighton leading the race for his signature, pundits and fans see a potential move as a stepping stone for Elliott to develop into a star capable of reclaiming a spot at Liverpool.
Brighton’s pursuit of Elliott, confirmed by former Manchester United scout Mick Brown to Football Insider, is driven by their belief that he can “take them to the next level”. The Seagulls, who finished eighth in 2024-25, are preparing a £40 million bid, though Liverpool’s valuation may be closer to £35-40 million given his contract until June 2027. TEAMtalk reports that Brighton see Elliott as a versatile star for Fabian Hurzeler’s system, with James Milner potentially influencing his former teammate’s decision. An X post from @BrightonBubbleon January 13, 2025, stated, “Brighton are leading the race to sign Harvey Elliott, valued at £35m-£40m”.
Other clubs, including West Ham, Fulham, RB Leipzig, and Fiorentina, have made enquiries, per @JacobsBenon X, but metro.co.uk suggests Brighton are frontrunners, especially as Elliott prefers to stay in the Premier League. Wolves were deterred by Liverpool’s £40 million asking price, per SPORTbible, while Borussia Dortmund’s interest is less advanced due to Elliott’s domestic preference. The Athletic notes that Brighton’s track record of developing talents like Georginio Rutter makes them an ideal fit.
Speaking on Channel 4, Joe Cole predicted a bright future for Elliott, stating, “Anyone outside the top six he comfortably walks in and plays, and becomes one of the main players. In two years, he can come back to a club like Liverpool and compete” (Football Insider). Cole compared Elliott’s development to Phil Foden’s, noting his 147 Liverpool appearances and loan spell at Blackburn (7 goals, 11 assists in 2020-21) as evidence of his readiness. Mick Brown echoed this, telling Football Insider that Brighton’s deal is progressing, with Elliott’s Euros form proving he deserves regular starts.
The Mirror reported Jermain Defoe urging Elliott to “get out and play” after his semi-final heroics, emphasizing the need for consistent minutes at 22. BBC Sport highlighted England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley’s view that Elliott’s “determination” makes him a “hot property”. However, Elliott remains focused on the Euros final against Germany on June 28, 2025, saying, “I can’t put it into words—another final. We need to rest, recover, and go again”.
Elliott’s limited role at Liverpool, exacerbated by Wirtz’s arrival from Bayer Leverkusen, has pushed him down the pecking order, per The Athletic. His desire for regular football, expressed to BBC Sport—“I don’t want to be wasting years of my career”—has fueled transfer talk. Liverpool fans are torn, with @LFCTransferRoomon X noting, “Harvey’s class, but he needs to play. Brighton could be perfect”. Brighton supporters, per @WeAreBrighton, are excited but skeptical about the £40 million fee, though Elliott’s Euros form has swayed doubters.
Challenges include Liverpool’s reluctance to sell a homegrown talent, with CaughtOffside warning that letting Elliott go could “bite them”. Brighton’s crowded attacking options—Rutter, Joao Pedro, and Julio Enciso—raise questions about Elliott’s fit, though Hurzeler’s 4-2-2-2 system suits his No. 10 role. Forest’s PSR compliance and lack of European football make them less appealing, while Leipzig and Fiorentina’s enquiries face hurdles due to Elliott’s Premier League preference.
For Elliott, a move to Brighton offers the regular minutes he craves, potentially in a system mirroring England’s 4-2-2-2, where he thrived. His versatility as a winger or No. 10, coupled with 2.3 key passes per 90 (FBref), makes him ideal for Hurzeler’s attack. A successful stint could, as Joe Cole suggested, position him for a Liverpool return by 2027, when van Dijk and Salah’s contracts expire. For Liverpool, selling Elliott for £40 million would fund targets like Feyenoord’s Anis Hadj-Moussa, but risks losing a future star, per Liverpool.com.
As of June 26, 2025, Brighton are pushing to sign Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, with Football Insider reporting progress on a £40 million deal following his standout Under-21 Euros performance. Tipped by Joe Cole to shine outside the top six and potentially return to Anfield, Elliott faces a pivotal decision as West Ham, Fulham, and European clubs circle. With Liverpool’s squad depth and the transfer window open until September 1, 2025, Elliott’s move could unlock his potential, but the Reds must weigh the cost of losing a homegrown gem. As he prepares for the Under-21 Euros final, Elliott’s next steps will shape his path to stardom.
