Offer submitted: PIF and Newcastle make huge £50m+ bid to sign “top player” who Shearer loves

Fresh from their triumphant Carabao Cup celebrations, Newcastle United have signaled their intent to build on this success by submitting a substantial £50.2 million (€60m) offer for Liverpool’s highly-rated midfielder Harvey Elliott.

The 21-year-old Englishman has emerged as a prime target for the Magpies’ summer rebuild, with his versatility and technical quality catching the eye of both Eddie Howe’s recruitment team and club legend Alan Shearer.

The proposed transfer comes during a period of euphoria on Tyneside, where over 200,000 fans recently lined the streets to celebrate the club’s first major trophy in 54 years.

Shearer, who participated in the open-top bus parade alongside Ant and Dec, captured the mood:”The players must have absolutely loved it because they got some reception. To be part of that, on the bus with the trophy and the fans what they were giving them must have been incredible.”

Yet behind the scenes, Newcastle’s Saudi-backed ownership are wasting no time planning their next moves.

Elliott represents an ambitious target who perfectly fits the profile of player Howe wants to develop – young, technically gifted, and capable of playing multiple positions. The Liverpool academy product’s career statistics demonstrate his remarkable adaptability:

Spanish media reports suggest Newcastle’s substantial bid could tempt Liverpool, despite Elliott’s contract running until 2027. The England U21 international has made 140 appearances for the Reds since his £4.3 million move from Fulham in 2019, developing into one of the Premier League’s most promising young talents.

Shearer has been particularly vocal in his praise for Elliott’s development: “He’s a real talent isn’t he, he’s brilliant. What I like about him now is he can play midfield too.

He can play in a variety of different positions and every time he plays it really shows me that he’s good enough for this level now.”

The potential acquisition forms part of Newcastle’s broader recruitment strategy, which also includes interest in Bournemouth’s £33m-rated winger Dango Ouattara.

Elliott’s potential arrival would provide Howe with crucial depth across multiple attacking positions as the club prepares for European competition next season.

Liverpool face a difficult decision regarding their academy graduate. While Jurgen Klopp has consistently praised Elliott’s attitude and technical ability, the emergence of other young talents like Curtis Jones and the expected summer arrivals in midfield could make Newcastle’s offer tempting from a financial perspective.

For Elliott himself, the move would represent an opportunity to establish himself as a central figure in an ambitious project rather than remaining part of Liverpool’s rotation.

At St James’ Park, he would likely receive more consistent minutes in his preferred central roles while working under a manager in Howe who has proven adept at developing young English talent.

The proposed transfer also highlights Newcastle’s evolving recruitment strategy under sporting director Dan Ashworth.

Rather than pursuing established superstars, the Magpies are increasingly targeting high-potential players who can grow with the club – a model that has served the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City well in recent years.

As negotiations potentially develop, this deal could become one of the summer’s most intriguing sagas, pitting two of England’s most passionate fanbases against each other in a battle for one of the country’s brightest young talents.

Whether Liverpool choose to cash in or retain their versatile academy product may depend on their own transfer plans, but Newcastle have certainly made their intentions clear with this bold opening move.