Harvey Elliott will return to Liverpool for pre-season after a simply phenomenal campaign on loan at Blackburn.
The 18-year-old scored seven goals and assisted 11 more in 41 Championship games. He had the third-most assists in the division, with the second-most assists from open play.
These numbers are superb as it is, but they are even more impressive when you consider that he only turned 18 in April. The fact that he was one of the best players in the league at 17-years-old is simply unbelievable.
Elliott is going to be a superstar. That much is quite obvious.
Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho already is one.
The Borussia Dortmund sensation has eight goals and nine assists in 24 Bundesliga games this season. Many consider it to be a down season for him.
He has reached outstanding numbers in the last three seasons, cementing himself as one of the very best wingers in the world.
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Oh, and he is only 21 himself.
Sancho looks set to leave Borussia Dortmund this summer, with Liverpool said to be very keen. Christian Falk is the latest journalist to confirm the Reds’ interest.
So where is the link between these two future superstars, and how could they influence each other’s paths this summer?
Elliott on loan plus cash should be enough to secure Sancho signing
As we know, the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the finances of every top club in Europe. Teams do not have as much money to spend on players as they had in previous years.
So while Liverpool are clearly interested in signing Sancho, they may not be able to stump up the rumoured £87m asking price (BBC).
What may be possible is a player-plus-cash deal.
Dortmund are known for their smart recruitment of young talent. They have targeted English players, like Sancho and Jude Bellingham in recent years.
So could they be interested in signing the next huge English attacking talent, Harvey Elliott?
Of course, Liverpool would be crazy to let him go on a permanent deal. But a loan would suit all parties perfectly.
A two-year loan would make a lot of sense. It would be similar to the deal that Dortmund have in place with Real Madrid for their youngster Reinier.
If the Reds offered Elliott on loan for two years, plus perhaps £60m, Dortmund may find it difficult to turn down.
Liverpool would be getting the much-needed world-class attacking player that they need for a bargain fee.
Dortmund would be getting a direct Sancho replacement for two years plus £60m to invest elsewhere in the squad.
Meanwhile, Elliott would be gaining first-team experience at a club famed for developing youngsters.
He could come back in 2023 as a 20-year-old with two seasons of top-level football under his belt. He could join up with Sancho and Diogo Jota to form one of the most dangerous attacks in the world.
It really is a win-win situation. Liverpool would be mad to not explore the possibility.