Discussions are underway between Premier League clubs Aston Villa and Liverpool regarding potential adjustments to the loan agreement for midfielder Harvey Elliott, according to recent reports. The 22-year-old, who joined Villa on a season-long loan last summer, has a £35 million obligation to buy clause that activates if he makes ten or more appearances this season.
Elliott's Season So Far: A Mixed Bag of Opportunities
Since his move to Villa Park, Elliott has had a fluctuating role in Unai Emery's squad. He debuted in a goalless draw against Everton in September and scored in his first start during a League Cup match versus Brentford. However, after starting in a 3-1 victory over Fulham, where he was substituted at halftime, and making a brief appearance in the Europa League against Feyenoord, Elliott found himself sidelined for nearly three months, limiting his total appearances to six across all competitions until recently.
Regulatory Hurdles and Career Uncertainty
Elliott's situation is complicated by Premier League rules that prevent a player from featuring for more than two top-flight European clubs in a single campaign. Having played one minute for Liverpool in a 3-2 win over Newcastle United earlier this season, he is ineligible to join another Premier League side on loan this term. This restriction briefly led to speculation about a potential move to Major League Soccer with Charlotte FC, managed by Dean Smith, but Elliott reportedly showed no interest in such a switch at this time.
Recent Developments and Renewed Hope
In a positive turn, Elliott has recently been reintegrated into Aston Villa's lineup, playing the full 90 minutes in a Europa League match against RB Salzburg and making a substitute appearance in the league against Brentford. These outings have increased his appearance tally to eight for the season, bringing him closer to the ten-appearance threshold that would trigger the £35 million purchase obligation.
Negotiating a Compromise for All Parties
With the current arrangement proving suboptimal for both clubs—Aston Villa have a squad member not regularly featuring, while Liverpool see the value of their asset potentially declining—talks are focused on finding a mutually beneficial solution. Daily Mail Sport indicates that these discussions do not need to be finalised by the transfer deadline day, unlike incoming or outgoing player deals, allowing for more flexible negotiations.
The key options being considered include raising the appearance target required to activate the obligation to buy or converting the obligation into an option to buy, giving Aston Villa more discretion at the end of the season. Both clubs are keen to resolve the impasse to ensure Elliott's development continues and his market value is preserved.
As the season progresses, the outcome of these talks will be crucial in determining Elliott's future, with all eyes on whether he can secure more playing time and how the financial terms of his loan might evolve.
