Harvey Elliott has joined Aston Villa on a loan-to-buy deal after a summer of speculation, including a laughable offer from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.
Elliott completed a surprise switch to Villa Park on deadline day after Liverpool agreed an initial loan with an obligation to buy built in.
While the fee of £35 million may be considered low – particularly as Liverpool were reported to value Elliott at closer to £50 million earlier in the window – the champions can benefit further with sell-on and buy-back clauses.
There was a shortage of other concrete offers for Elliott, too, with Leipzig’s early contact undermined by a risible proposed deal.
According to The Athletic‘s James Pearce, the German club were only willing to pay €20 million (£17.3m) – half the fee eventually agreed with Villa.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Harvey Elliott celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Elliott was touted as a replacement for Xavi Simons, who left Leipzig to join Tottenham at the end of the window in a deal worth up to £51 million.
Leipzig ultimately did not sign a direct replacement for Simons, with centre-forward Conrad Harder instead brought in from Sporting CP on deadline day.
It is no surprise Liverpool were unwilling to progress in talks with Leipzig given the gulf in their valuations of a player who, at 22, had already won five trophies at the club.
He also entered the summer having been named Player of the Tournament as England successfully defended their U21 Euro trophy.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 10, 2025: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz is replaced by substitute Harvey Elliott during the FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
While those achievements may make the decision to allow Elliott to leave more questionable, Liverpool know they are protected by the favourable terms in place with Villa.
Elliott will join Villa on a permanent basis if he makes 10 appearances in the current campaign, which will certainly happen unless he suffers a serious injury.
The initial loan deal was designed to work around Villa’s financial restraints, while the Reds can profit further if he moves again in the future due to their sell-on clause.
They also have the opportunity to re-sign Elliott for a set fee if desired, as is also the case with Jarell Quansah and Ben Gannon-Doak after their respective transfers to Bayer Leverkusen and Bournemouth.