Expert: Liverpool forced into selling player for £15m less than 'what they wanted'
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Credit: Manh Tung/Breaking Media
Callum O'Connell
Tue 2 September 2025 12:22, UK
Liverpool were forced to accept an offer below their initial asked price after Harvey Elliott completed a loan-to-buy move to Aston Villa on transfer deadline day.
That is according to former Man United and Sunderland chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 22-year-old was keen to make the late move to Villa Park.
Arne Slot’s side had been holding out for a £50million fee throughout the summer transfer window, but ultimately accepted a loan with an obligation to buy for £35million to allow him to move on.
Football Insider exclusively revealed in April that Liverpool would demand £50million to sell Elliott amid interest from a number of European clubs.
After it became clear that he wasn’t in Slot’s plans for the season, the Reds decided to cash in for a slightly reduced fee rather than keep an unhappy player.
RB Leipzig were the front-runners to sign Elliott before Villa made a deadline day move, with the player keen to remain in the Premier League.
Credit: Hasan Karim – Breaking Media
This article contains exclusive comment from Mick Brown, a football transfer expert and former chief scout for Man United and Sunderland among others.
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Brown first told Football Insider in March that Elliott was unhappy with his Liverpool role and is keen to play regular first-team football elsewhere.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that the Reds had no plans to stand in his way despite the eventual price tag.
“Harvey Elliott wanted to leave Liverpool,” he told Football Insider.
“He was on the fringes of the squad and didn’t look likely to play regular minutes this season because it seems the manager has moved on without him.
“He didn’t want to sit around on the bench every week, he wanted to go and play.
“I think ultimately what they’ve got is a good fee for a fringe player.
“It’s a fair price for a player who wasn’t going to be part of their first team.
Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media
“It’s not the £50million fee they were initially looking for, but it’s probably a more reasonable deal and one that certainly suits Aston Villa better.
“Making the move on deadline day meant Liverpool had to make a decision.
“They will be happy with the business they’ve done bringing him in, because he’s a good player.
“And from Liverpool’s point of view, even if it’s not £50million, they’ve raised funds to help balance the books so it’s a good deal all round.”
Despite a number of late deals on deadline day, the headlines were dominated by Liverpool’s pursuit of Marc Guehi after his move to Anfield collapsed.
However, Football Insider revealed on 2 September that Liverpool will reignite their interest in Guehi in the January transfer window as he remains a key target.
Credit: Imago
Guehi’s move to Anfield was blocked by Palace even after the transfer deal sheet was submitted, with the South London club unable to find a replacement for their captain.
With his contract at Selhurst Park expiring next summer, the defender will be available for a cut price, which could tempt Liverpool into making another approach.
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