Xavi Simons to Tottenham unlocks Liverpool transfer deal as 'direct contact made'

Liverpool could be thrust back into action in the final days of the window after Xavi Simons completed his move to Tottenham. The former PSG man has joined the north Londoners from RB Leipzig in a deal worth around £51million. He has signed a long-term contract and will wear the No 7 shirt at his new club.

Simons was initially a target for Chelsea but Tottenham swooped in to land the 22-year-old ahead of their city rivals. The move represents a major coup for Thomas Frank, who will be hoping for the Dutchman to make an instant impact. It could also influence Liverpool's end to the window, given that Leipzig will need to sign a replacement.

They are interested in Harvey Elliott and have made 'direct contact' with the Reds to discuss a deal, according to The Times. Elliott has been linked with an Anfield exit throughout the window, having been used sparingly by Arne Slot at times last season.

The likes of Fulham and Newcastle were linked earlier in the window but Leipzig now appear to be the main contenders. However, there is no guarantee that Liverpool will be open to selling the 22-year-old with so little time remaining in the window.

It was reported on Friday that any bids would be rebuffed, unless they allow the Reds to make a significant profit. They paid just £4m to sign Elliott as a teenager from Fulham in 2019, following a tribunal hearing.

Liverpool are said to believe that his value far surpasses the current market rate given recent transfers such as Tyler Dibling to Everton, Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle United and Omari Hutchinson to Nottingham Forest.

All three players moved for sums between £37m and £42m, which suggests that Leipzig would need to submit a higher offer to land Elliott before the deadline.

Only time will tell how the situation transpires between now and the end of the window, which is set to close on Monday evening.

Jermain Defoe, the former England striker, recently urged Elliott to join a club where he can be the main man rather than a bit-part player at Liverpool.

"There'll be a lot of clubs watching this tournament," said Defoe after Elliott scored a brace for England under-21s against the Netherlands at this summer's Euros.

"We said it before, he's too good to not be playing when you're producing in big tournaments like this against the best players. The two goals that we saw this evening, he's a top, top player.

"For him, he just needs to go out and play, get himself in a team where he's one of the main players, and just go out and express yourself and show how good you are."

For the latest breaking stories and headlines, sign up to our Daily Express transfer newsletter.