Liverpool are reportedly preparing to cash in on Harvey Elliott as the August transfer deadline looms, with former Scotland striker Ally McCoist among those calling for Newcastle United to move decisively for the 23-year-old midfielder.
Elliott's standing at Anfield has come under scrutiny under Andoni Iraola. Despite featuring during the preseason campaign, the England international was surprisingly omitted from the matchday squad for the Premier League season opener, a fixture that ended in a 2-2 draw at Newcastle United following Dominik Szoboszlai's late penalty strike.
The situation becomes even more complicated when considering Elliott's recent history. Last season saw him deployed on loan at Aston Villa, yet Unai Emery — himself a former Fulham manager — ultimately declined to make the move permanent. Reports suggest the Villa boss effectively sidelined Elliott during the second half of the campaign to sidestep triggering a £35 million purchase clause.
Now in the final year of his Liverpool deal, Elliott is nearing a crossroads. talkSPORT pundits Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist have both urged Newcastle to submit a late bid before the September 1st deadline.
"His contract is up next summer, so he's not going to cost a King's ransom. What are we talking, £15-20million? Something like that," Stelling observed.
Stelling initially suggested newly promoted Coventry as a destination but acknowledged Elliott could seamlessly slot into Newcastle's setup. McCoist agreed, noting the Toon Army's search for players reminiscent of those they've lost, with Anthony Gordon the most obvious comparison.
"The most important thing, and it's massively important for Harvey Elliott this season — last season was a write-off, he can't afford another one like that," McCoist stressed.