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Paul Joyce has provided an update on Harvey Elliott and a potential return in the January transfer window. His season-long loan to Aston Villa has turned into something of a nightmare for all parties involved. The move, finalized on deadline day in August, was supposed to reignite the 22-year-old’s career with regular football under Unai Emery. The deal even included a reported £35 million obligation to buy, contingent on Elliott making 10 appearances for the Villans.
However, that clause has proven to be the midfielder’s undoing. Elliott has been stuck on just a handful of appearances since October, effectively exiled from the squad as Villa look to avoid triggering the substantial transfer fee. The situation has now become public, with Unai Emery confirming that Elliott’s time at Villa Park is effectively over.
“We are in conversation with him regarding his situation. He is not currently with us,” Emery admitted in a recent press conference. “We hope to find the best outcome for both him and the club… He is on loan with us, but there is no certainty that he will transition to a permanent deal.”
Now Paul Joyce has provided an update, and has reported that contact between Liverpool and Villa over a return is now “likely”:
“One potential move could be the return of Harvey Elliott, whose loan to Aston Villa with a view to a permanent £35million switch has turned into a major disappointment. He has not played a minute since October 2 and contact between the two clubs is now likely.”
With no recall clause in the original agreement, the Reds will need to negotiate a termination of the loan, potentially waiving the loan fee to bring him back.
And Elliott’s situation is further complicated by transfer regulations.
Having already played a competitive match for Liverpool (off the bench in the 3-2 win over Newcastle United) and subsequently appearing in both the Premier League and EFL Cup for his loan club, he has now represented two teams in official fixtures this season.
Under FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, a player may only appear in competitive matches for a maximum of two clubs during a single season.
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