Liverpool midfielder may not play football for the rest of the season due to clause in his contract
Harvey Elliott’s loan move to Aston Villa appears to be at an end in all but name, with Unai Emery confirming the club decided months ago not to sign the Liverpool midfielder on a permanent basis.
Elliott joined Villa on deadline day in the summer on a season-long loan that included a conditional obligation to buy. The agreement would have required Villa to pay £35m if the 22-year-old reached a set number of Premier League appearances. He has made only five, and has not played since early October. Emery said the club took a decision some time ago not to proceed with the permanent transfer.
“The problem we have with Harvey is that this year he is on loan, and in case he plays matches we must buy him,” Emery said. “We decided two months ago that we are not convinced to sign him, spending the money we would need to sign him. This is the only issue.”
Elliott moved to Villa in search of regular football after struggling for minutes at Liverpool, where Arne Slot had previously praised his contribution to the club’s title-winning campaign last season. Remarkably, the loan was supposed to be an opportunity for the England U-21 international to establish himself at Premier League level. Instead, his development has faded.
Despite being available, Elliott has been used sparingly. His last appearance came in the Europa League against Feyenoord in October, and he has since been left out of matchday squads as Villa manage the terms of the loan.
“He is training every day, always every day with very good behaviour and to help us in training sessions,” Emery said.
“This is not something good for him and good for us, but this is football and sometimes we must take some decisions which are not good for everyone.
“Again, I am respecting all I can because he is a very good guy, a professional and respectful guy. The situation he has with us is something I must take a decision on, but trying not to damage the player as less as possible. He deserves the best for him.”
Elliott has already featured for both Liverpool and Villa this season, meaning he cannot play for a third club in the same campaign unless it is in a league with a different calendar. Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC have been linked with an interest, but reports suggest Elliott is not considering such a move.
There is no recall option for Liverpool included in the loan agreement and given no indication that Villa plan to reintegrate him, Elliott faces the prospect of spending the remainder of the season without competitive football.
