CRYSTAL PALACE are planning to raid Liverpool before the end of the transfer window – in a bid to secure Harvey Elliott.
The Eagles have made the Reds’ and England star a prime target as they look to boost their squad ahead of the new Premier League season kicking off.
GettyLiverpool’s Harvey Elliott is being eyed in a £40m deal by Crystal Palace[/caption]
GettyLiverpool are under no pressure to sell but know he is desperate for minutes[/caption]
Elliott is being lined up as a potential replacement for Eberechi Eze, who is being heavily linked with a move to Tottenham.
Spurs are understood to be preparing a significant bid for the attacking midfielder, whose performances last season have made him one of the hottest properties in English football.
Arsenal are also keen on the midfielder but would need to sell first.
Liverpool are expected to demand around £40million for Elliott, who missed a penalty against Palace in the Charity Shield at Wembley.
New Liverpool manager Arne Slot is under no pressure to sell the versatile midfielder-forward, but he knows the player is desperate for regular first-team football.
Elliott made 53 appearances in all competitions last season, yet often found himself starting from the bench in crucial fixtures.
Slot is believed to respect the youngster’s ambition and won’t stand in his way if a suitable offer lands on the table.
Palace are understood to have made their admiration for Elliott clear during initial talks with Liverpool.
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The conversations have been complicated by ongoing negotiations between the two clubs over Marc Guehi, who is wanted in a £35m move by the Merseysiders.
The situation sets up a fascinating late-window standoff: Palace want Elliott to fill the creativity gap that could be left by Eze’s departure, while Liverpool are keen on Guehi to strengthen their back line.
The possibility of a player-plus-cash arrangement has not been ruled out.
Palace captain Guehi has a year left on his contract, but chairman Steve Parish said earlier this week he could be sold to avoid him moving on a free transfer in 12 months’ time.
Liverpool are also trying to sign 18-year-old Parma centre-back Giovanni Leoni.
The Italy Under-19 international is not seen as a potential rival for Guehi but more as one for the future.
He began his career at Padova and had a short spell at Sampdoria before joining Parma last summer.
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