Liverpool strike deadline deal for MUCH cheaper than planned

Liverpool are incredibly close to a transfer deadline day deal and it's for much cheaper than they planned. This should now move quickly.

Liverpool and Aston Villa are now close to an agreement over Harvey Elliott. Paul Joyce is one of several reporting on the move.

Elliott hadn’t been linked with Villa ahead of the deadline. In fact, all links for the player were with RB Leipzig as the German side attempted to replace Xavi Simons.

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Anfield Watch understands Leipzig offered €40m on deadline day for Elliott but saw that offer rejected quickly. Now Villa have moved in to try and strike a deal of their own.

And they’re close to sealing it. Of course, neither club can really waste time on this one as the transfer window shuts later today.

Perhaps that explains why Liverpool appear to have agreed to a much lower fee than planned.

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Liverpool agree cheaper Harvey Elliott fee

The Athletic reported earlier on Monday that Liverpool wanted £40m for Elliott with a buyback clause. £50m+ if a club wanted to sign him without that tie to the Reds.

At least, that was the asking price earlier in the window. It now seems Liverpool and Villa have struck a deal that sends Elliott there on loan for a year with an obligation to make it permanent.

That obligation is for £35m, so well below the £50m+. The Athletic now claims that this is in part because:

"Discussions between the clubs have centred around a structure of an agreement that ensures Villa comply with UEFA’s financial restrictions."

So we'll have to wait and see exactly what the rest of this deal holds. £35m if very cheap for Elliott but perhaps there's a buyback - and we imagine the loan fee for this season is fairly sizeable, bumping the overall deal further.

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