This, according to former West Ham United favourite Stuart Pearce, is the sort of transfer which makes perfect sense from just about every perspective, and from every party.
A 22-year-old footballer with considerable potential, colossal re-sale value, and nearly 100 Premier League appearances under his belt already.
A footballer possessing the work-rate and the technical qualities Graham Potter looks for, plus the creative talents necessary to ease the crushing burden on Jarrod Bowen’s shoulders.
Harvey Elliott to West Ham United, the aforementioned Stuart Pearce says, is one of those deals where negatives are few and far between.
Stuart Pearce wants West Ham to sign Harvey Elliott from Liverpool
A couple of days ago, the former Fulham starlet admitted he was considering his future after another year spent largely on the Anfield bench. Elliott made 18 Premier League appearances in a title-winning 2024/25 campaign but was picked to start only twice by Arne Slot.
Before bidding an emotional farewell to Liverpool a year ago, Jurgen Klopp admitted that Elliott was unfortunate to find himself on the outside looking in. And with opportunities even harder to come by under former Feyenoord boss Slot – Mo Salah remains undroppable on the right wing while Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch have nailed down the number eight roles – reports have indicated that Liverpool may be willing to listen to offers in the region of £40 million.
A move to the London Stadium, Pearce says, would hand Elliott a fresh start, would earn Liverpool a substantial profit, and would see West Ham land one of the brightest young talents in English football long before he has reached his peak.
“[West Ham should sign Harvey Elliott] every day, for me,” Pearce, the legendary left-back who had three spells with the Hammers as a player and a coach, tells talkSPORT.
“The player needs to play. When Klopp left, he said: ‘I should have played Harvey Elliott a bit more’. That was one of the statements he made.
“He identified the talent of him and identified that he didn’t play him enough. He hasn’t played enough this year once again.
“I think [leaving Liverpool for West Ham] would be a good move for both parties.”
Elliott explains why he may need to leave Arne Slot’s Premier League champions
Elliott has been linked with the likes of Newcastle United, Wolves and Bournemouth in recent weeks.
West Ham are yet to appear alongside the England Under-21 international in the gossip columns, however, with all the signs suggesting that the Hammers must raise funds before they can even think about making such high-cost acquisitions.
There is a reason why West Ham’s first signing looks destined to be Josh Brownhill this summer. The Burnley captain will be a free-agent come July 1st.
A club source, speaking exclusively to Hammers News, admits that West Ham ‘can’t bring players in until we sell’.
“It’s just a situation that me and the team have to have a conversation about, because I’m coming into an age now where I’m 22. I’m going to be 23 next season,” Elliott said last week. “I don’t really want to be wasting years [of] my career, because it’s a short career. You don’t know what’s going to happen.
“I need to reflect. I need to see if I’m content in doing what I’m doing and how can I improve as a player because that’s the most important thing.
“I just want to improve and be the best possible version of myself. If that’s to go somewhere else, then it’s a decision that I’m going to have to make and I just need to see what happens.”
“Nothing makes me want to leave. I love the club, I love the fans, the team. I support them as well. But most importantly, it’s just about what’s best for my career.”
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