The 2025/26 season was pretty abject for Harvey Elliott. He was loaned out to Aston Villa from Liverpool but hardly played. Upon returning to the Reds after 12 months of little football, his body transformation has sparked a big reaction online.

The Englishman joined Villa last summer on an initial season-long loan with an obligation to buy for around £35m so long as he played enough games. Manager Unai Emery was evidently not keen on the midfielder, however, as he essentially refused to play Elliott.

The 23-year-old would play just four times in the Premier League for Villa that season, getting just 13 minutes off the bench after the turn of the year. He left Villa Park with nine appearances in total, one short of the ten he needed to trigger the obligation to join permanently.

Elliott’s future remains unclear, but for now he is back at Liverpool. The midfielder even started the recent friendly against Sunderland in Andoni Iraola’s first game in charge.

Elliott’s Return Sparks Reaction During Liverpool vs Sunderland Friendly

It was a positive return for Elliott, as he picked up an assist for Kieran Morrison after just 13 minutes. The Reds would win the game 4-2, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Federico Chiesa and Lewis Koumas getting on the scoresheet.

Ahead of the match, though, Daily Mail journalist Lewis Steele shared some footage of Elliott warming up and noted how he’d ‘bulked up’ during his 12 months away from Anfield. He posted a video with the caption:

In response to the video, many other fans agreed with the comment, adding their own thoughts. One said: “He looks awful, nothing like an athlete.” Another wrote: “You can’t have Messi’s height and frame and try to add muscles like Adama Traore. If anything, he needs to lose weight. Get more agile and quick.”

Indeed, the general consensus seemed to be concern, as another fan said: “Disappointing that he hasn’t looked after himself this summer because that’s not footballer bulk. Maybe he doesn’t think he has a future (which he should not think so, considering me manager, new chances)/maybe confidence lost due to Villa experience.”

One more claimed: “That’s not a good thing. He was to slow and laboured before bulking up.” A final supporter wrote: “Was better when he was much thinner. Already struggles to run never mind looking bigger.”

Iraola To Give Elliott a Chance To Impress This Summer

REUTERS

Despite the concerns, it seems as though Elliott will be given the chance to impress this summer under his new manager. Speaking in his first press conference, Iraola said:

“Harvey is here with us. He has come [in early] also. I’ve seen him with this eagerness to show himself, to get himself ready again. He will have a chance during the pre-season; we will need him.”

What’s more, contrary to the claims about his body, it appears as though the player has been working hard to get fir for the new season, returning to Liverpool early after his summer break. Iraola revealed

The Englishman only has one-year remaining on his Anfield contract, so it will be interesting to see what the future holds.

Liverpool have held preliminary talks over a move to sign Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, GIVEMESPORT understands.

Barcola is emerging as one of Liverpool‘s top targets as they seek another new winger following the arrival of Víctor Muñoz.

Barcola has communicated to PSG he has no plans to sign a new deal, and with his existing terms only running until 2028, an exit is now being explored by the player. PSG were aware of Barcola’s stance before the World Cup.

PSG Sale Possible for £145m-Rated Barcola

via Reuters

PSG value Barcola around €170m, and are using the sales of Elliot Anderson (£116m) to Manchester City and Morgan Rogers (£117m) to Chelsea as valuation yardsticks.

However, PSG’s project is built on only keeping players who wish to stay, and never guaranteeing anyone a starting spot. That means prospective buyers will know a sale is possible in the coming weeks.

Barcola is seeking more minutes off the back of an impressive World Cup with France in which he scored three goals and got one assist.

PSG believe his performances for France only further raised his value, while the fact he has won back-to-back Champions League titles also informs the €170m number, as does the fact Barcola is only 23.

GMS understands that PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and sporting director Luis Campos will both handle any exit talks.

Barcola Exit Talks Could Now Progress

Gonzalo Fuentes via Reuters

Liverpool value Barcola at less than €170m, while the player will seek to depart for a lower number.

Arsenal also appreciate Barcola, but are yet to approach PSG or begin any formal talks with the player.

Arsenal’s focus is on determining whether Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior is genuinely available, while Julian Alvarez is another target if Atletico Madrid decide to soften their not-for-sale stance. Bournemouth’s French forward Eli Junior Kroupi is another name Arsenal have discussed.

Liverpool are currently the most serious suitor for Barcola and now the French winger has decided he won’t extend at the Parc des Princes, talks could start to progress.

Liverpool have also been linked with a move for Chelsea winger Pedro Neto, but GMS understands there has been no movement to sign the Portugal international as it stands.

Leeds United are said to be closing in on another exit as they work to land a club-record deal. The Whites are preparing to spark their summer transfer window to life in a major way having snapped up Harry Wilson early on, while Tarik Muharemovic was brought in to replace Pascal Struijk, who was sold to Brighton.

The Whites are now said to be working on a glamorous deal in the form of Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford, who is likely to cost between £45million and £50million, meaning it would be a club-record deal for the Whites.

Daniel Farke needs a new starting goalkeeper after Karl Darlow left the club, while Illan Meslier’s departure also created the need for more depth at the position, and another goalkeeper in Lucas Perri now looks likely to leave.

Lucas Perri ‘agrees’ to leave Leeds United

Leeds signed Lucas Perri for £13.9million last summer with the view to him becoming their number one, but that did not prove to be the case. The Brazilian had done well at Lyon, but he did not convince in his 16 Premier League appearances, and Darlow went on to become first-choice, providing a sturdy pair of hands.

Perri knows a return to being the club’s number one is not on the table, especially if Trafford arrives as a record signing, and he is now said to be preparing to leave Elland Road as a result, meaning he will have only spent a year with the Whites.

According to journalist Orazio Accomando, Torino have now agreed a deal to sign Perri, and the club has already scheduled the player’s medical. A fee has not been mentioned, but Leeds are expected to make at least most of their initial investment back on the 28-year-old.

What is interesting is that Leeds will now be left only with 33-year-old Alex Cairns in terms of goalkeepers, with Meslier and Darlow having left at the end of last season. A youngster or two is likely to be called upon through pre-season, and at least one will likely have to stick around for the Premier League campaign, while Farke will surely sign another goalkeeper as well as Trafford, or whoever the new number one ends up being.

Perri was once dubbed the ‘best in the world’

While Leeds’ signing of Perri now looks a little odd, and obviously unsuccessful, the Brazilian was once in world-beating form at Lyon, which is why the Whites made the move.

At the time, Lyon boss Paulo Fonseca said: “At the moment, the best goalkeeper in the world is my goalkeeper, Lucas Perri. He has been playing very well. Defensively, he is very good. Offensively, he has improved a lot in the way he helps the team with the ball at his feet. To play our way, we need a goalkeeper who participates offensively. We worked and analysed together what needed to be improved. Lucas is a very balanced person and understood the importance of his participation in the game. He has improved a lot in this aspect.”

Perri had a much tougher time at Leeds, and Farke even said after a defeat to Newcastle United: “In this moment I can’t protect him (Perri) from the criticism. He should have saved it.” Perri had better moments, notably when he slotted in for a game in April, but his stay won’t go down as a successful one.