Harvey Elliott Close to Valencia Move as Liverpool Faces Transfer Challenges

Liverpool’s window, already tense and uneven, is edging towards another major twist with Harvey Elliott closing in on a move to Valencia – and Cody Gakpo now firmly on Manchester City’s radar.

This is not how Liverpool imagined the final days of the summer.

Elliott pushes for Valencia switch

Harvey Elliott’s Anfield career has been stuck in neutral. A flat loan spell at Aston Villa last season did little to shift his standing in the pecking order, and the message from Liverpool’s recruitment so far is clear: the squad is evolving without him at the centre of it.

That is why Valencia have moved. And moved aggressively.

Journalist Matteo Moretto first revealed that the La Liga club are closing in on Elliott, describing negotiations as “very advanced” and stressing that the deal being worked on is a loan. He reported that Elliott has already spoken directly with Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola and has asked to join Valencia, with optimism on the Spanish side that an agreement can be struck.

The pressure on Liverpool’s small squad has not stopped the exits. Elliott, who has three proposals on the table according to multiple reports, appears to have made his choice.

Fabrizio Romano has now backed up that line. He reports that Elliott has agreed personal terms with Valencia after “positive talks”, with discussions ongoing between the clubs to finalise the move. Valencia have made an official approach, Romano added, and are pushing to beat the competition for the midfielder’s signature, staying in close contact with the player’s camp and Liverpool.

The deal is not done yet. But the direction of travel is obvious.

Barcola in, but more gaps to fill

All this comes in a window that has already tested Liverpool’s resolve. The club’s long chase of Bradley Barcola has finally broken their way, with the PSG winger set to join for £100m plus add-ons. He will be the fourth arrival of the summer after Ronald Araujo, Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz.

On paper, that is significant business. In reality, it still feels incomplete.

Liverpool still look light. Another forward, a midfielder and possibly a right-back are being talked about as needs, not luxuries, with the season fast approaching and Iraola left juggling a thin group. The sense that the head coach is being left exposed has not gone unnoticed.

And just as one attacking option prepares to walk out, another may be nudged towards the door.

Man City step up Gakpo pursuit

Cody Gakpo, once a headline signing and a long-term target for Tottenham, is now being pushed towards centre stage in another transfer saga. This time, the lead role belongs to Manchester City.

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has told Football Insider that City are “pushing to agree a deal” for the Dutch forward, describing him as their “top target” after the exits of Savinho and Omar Marmoush. With those attacking options gone to Tottenham, City suddenly look lighter in the final third than Pep Guardiola would like.

“It’s a surprise that City are actively considering a move for Cody Gakpo,” O’Rourke admitted, before underlining that the champions are in the market for attacking reinforcements and have turned back to a player Spurs have tracked closely all summer.

Liverpool, then, stand at a crossroads in the final stretch of the window: Barcola coming in, Elliott angling for Valencia, City circling Gakpo, and Iraola waiting for the squad depth he has been promised.

The clock is ticking. Who will still be at Anfield when it stops?