Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has made a stunning public demand to Liverpool, urging the Premier League champions to remove the obligation-to-buy clause in Harvey Elliott's loan agreement. The Spanish coach insists that Liverpool hold "the key" to the young midfielder's immediate playing future at Villa Park.
Loan Deal Creates Impasse for Promising Midfielder
Harvey Elliott joined Aston Villa on loan last summer with significant promise, fresh from winning the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Player of the Tournament award. However, the talented midfielder has made just seven appearances across all competitions so far this season.
The loan agreement includes a clause that requires Villa to purchase Elliott permanently if he makes ten appearances. Since Emery decided in September that he did not want to sign the player permanently, Elliott has found himself largely excluded from matchday squads.
Brutal Exclusion Period for Young Talent
Between a brief cameo against Feyenoord on October 2nd and the 2-0 victory at Newcastle United on January 25th, Elliott was not named in a single matchday squad. This represents a particularly challenging period for the young player's development and match fitness.
Recent appearances against RB Salzburg and Brentford marked his sixth and seventh games, potentially signalling a change in his situation. However, Villa remain adamant that they will not be exercising their option to buy the Liverpool man.
Financial Stalemate Between Premier League Clubs
The two clubs have held regular discussions about resolving the situation, but neither side appears willing to make financial or sporting concessions. Aston Villa do not want to pay an early termination fee for the loan, while Liverpool are reportedly unwilling to revoke the obligation-to-buy clause.
This has created a transfer tug-of-war with Elliott caught in the middle. As things stand, he can only feature in two more matches for the remainder of the season without triggering the permanent transfer clause.
Emery's Public Plea to Liverpool Hierarchy
"I spoke with him (Elliott). We have been fair because there are two ways: one way is sport, the second is business," Emery explained in detailed comments to Birmingham Live. "We'll be fair in case, because we are trying it, and I told him, we are opening the door to play with us, because he can help us."
The Villa boss continued: "But it's not only in my way and on my side. The other side is Liverpool. If they take off the clauses to play matches and for us to buy him, (I said to him) 'you are going to play here with us, it's a sport decision.'"
Emery emphasised the current dilemma: "But now it's a sport decision and a business decision. My sport decision is still there - 'you are deserving to play, we need your qualities in the field, you are going to play.' But in case the clauses are still there, now it is Liverpool - they have the key."
Protracted Negotiations Behind the Scenes
Discussions between the two clubs have been ongoing for several months, with Emery confirming that talks about removing the clause began three months ago. The Villa manager has generally been reserved about the finer details of these negotiations but has now provided significant insight into the behind-the-scenes discussions.
"We are speaking about it (taking off the clause) but not (just) now," Emery confirmed. "We started speaking about it three months ago. Of course, the transfer window finished on Monday."
Concern for Player Welfare and Development
Emery expressed particular concern about the impact of the situation on Elliott's career progression: "It will be fair for him, because he's a calm guy, good guy, and he's a fantastic professional. And then his qualities are there. Of course he must play, and he's really being patient."
The Villa manager acknowledged the difficult position: "And I know we are damaging him, because we got a deal with Liverpool in the summer and the deal is there, and we are respecting the decision, taking the sporting decision responsibly from my side."
Emery concluded with a direct appeal: "It can change for him, in case Liverpool take off this clause. If they don't want to, okay, but the player is getting damaged."
The situation represents a complex intersection of sporting ambition and contractual obligations, with a young player's development hanging in the balance as two Premier League clubs navigate their competing interests.
