Valencia are leading the chase for Liverpool winger Harvey Elliott according to a report from Daily Mail Sport this week. The 23-year-old England U21 international is attracting serious interest from European clubs after a challenging loan spell at Aston Villa last season.
Liverpool are aware of the interest from Spain and Italy, though no official approach has been made at this stage. The Reds are reportedly willing to listen to offers for Elliott and fellow forward Federico Chiesa, with neither player making the matchday squad for their Premier League opener at Newcastle last Sunday. This comes as Liverpool sit 20th in the Premier League after one game, with 0 points, 0 wins, 0 draws and 1 loss, having conceded four goals without scoring.
Why are clubs interested in Harvey Elliott?
Harvey Elliott remains a talented young player with Premier League and European experience. Despite a difficult 2025-26 campaign, his potential is clear. Valencia's coach Carlos Corberan, the former West Brom boss, is said to be driving their interest. Italian sides Lazio and Napoli are also monitoring the situation. Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola was reportedly not sufficiently impressed by Elliott during pre-season, which has opened the door for a potential departure. The club's willingness to consider offers suggests they see a pathway to recoup value on a player who may struggle for minutes.
What happened during his Aston Villa loan?
Elliott's move to Aston Villa last season turned into what the report describes as a 'nightmare'. The loan deal included an obligation for Villa to buy for £35 million after he made 10 appearances. Under manager Unai Emery, Elliott was selected for just nine matches, scoring one goal, meaning the permanent transfer was never triggered. Emery later admitted that not selecting the player affected him. Elliott finished the season with a Europa League winner's medal, though he was an unused substitute in the final. Reflecting on the spell during Liverpool's US pre-season tour, Elliott said: "Mentally, it was a very tough one. (Going to Villa) was a learning curve." He added, "I don't wish (the situation) upon any other player, because it's not nice at all, but I have no hard feelings."
What does this mean for Liverpool and Elliott?
The interest presents a crossroads for Harvey Elliott's career. A permanent sale could generate funds for Liverpool, who are already three points behind early leaders Brighton. A loan deal is also being explored by clubs, offering Elliott a chance to rebuild his value. For Villa, the episode is a closed chapter, but it highlights the risks of loan deals with conditional obligations. The club's focus is now firmly on their next fixture, a home match against second-placed Arsenal on 31 August, as they look to bounce back from their difficult start. You can track their progress in the standings and view upcoming matches on our fixtures page.
Elliott's immediate future is likely to be resolved before the transfer window closes. The failed Aston Villa move has made his next step critical. Whether he stays to fight for his place at Anfield or seeks a fresh start abroad, his career needs momentum. For interested clubs, he represents a potential bargain if they can unlock the talent that once made him a highly-rated prospect at Liverpool.
