Harvey Elliott has endured a horror loan spell at Aston Villa since leaving Liverpool, barely featuring under Unai Emery, and a move to the MLS could now be on offer
Harvey Elliott has barely played since joining Aston Villa in the summer
Harvey Elliott has barely played since joining Aston Villa in the summer
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MLS side Charlotte FC are ready to offer Harvey Elliott an escape from his Aston Villa loan nightmare as they make moves to bring the England U21 star across the Atlantic.
The 22-year-old was the star of the tournament as England won the U21 Euros in the summer, which saw him linked with a Liverpool exit. Eventually Villa came in late in the day and landed Elliott on loan, but he's barely featured and doesn't look to be in favour under Unai Emery.
It means there is already talk of Elliott leaving the Midlands and Charlotte FC, led by Dean Smith, are keen on landing the 22-year-old. Having featured for Liverpool and Villa this term the playmaker cannot play for another team this season in Europe.
That has opened the door to a move to America with the Daily Mail reporting that Charlotte FC have secured the discovery rights for the England U21 international. Smith and the club's general manager Zoran Krneta have strong connections in the UK which they believe will put them in a strong position.
Elliott's preference was to remain in the Premier League, but with that looking unlikely he is considering the positives on offer in the USA. With the World Cup coming this summer he understands his arrival could generate plenty of attention.
Any move is only likely to be until the summer, when the player can take stock of his career and consider his options. He was linked with a move to RB Leipzig before he headed to Villa - and English players who have headed to Germany in the past have previously enjoyed success.
Last term he was used sparingly, largely from the bench, by Arne Slot and it doesn't look as if he has any future at Liverpool. He was signed by Jurgen Klopp and tipped for huge things after coming through the ranks at Fulham, but whilst he's shone on the international stage he is still looking to establish himself at club level.
Charlotte FC Dean Smith is keen to land the England U21 star
Charlotte FC Dean Smith is keen to land the England U21 star
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Villa know that a £35m permanent deal will be triggered if he plays in 10 Premier League games for them - potentially leading to his lack of involvement - with Emery making it clear Elliott will not be joining them full-time.
He said recently: "First, my decision and also the situation. He is on loan playing with us, but he is not definitely adding to us with a permanent contract. Hopefully we can get the best for him and the best for us. I respect him as a player and as a person. He is training well, but we have one circumstance with him. Hopefully we can get a solution for him to try to play consistently and try to continue in his career with us or not."
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