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Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott has found himself frozen out at Aston Villa, with the club reluctant to use the on-loan player due to an obligation to buy being triggered after 10 Premier League appearances. The 22-year-old has featured four times in the league, making just one start since joining Villa on a season-long loan from Liverpool in September.
The Englishman has scored once this season, netting in a Carabao Cup win over Brentford, and has also featured in Europe. Interest has emerged from MLS side Charlotte FC, managed by former Villa boss Dean Smith, but Elliott is not keen on a move to the United States.
Villa boss Unai Emery has already confirmed the club will not pursue a permanent deal, which is reportedly set at £35m. Having already featured for Liverpool this season, FIFA regulations mean Elliott cannot play for three clubs in the same campaign.
As a result, if the England Under-21 international does not return to Liverpool, his only alternative would be a move to a league with a summer calendar, such as Major League Soccer in the United States. “We have the issue with Harvey Elliott,” Emery said.
“Again, I am respecting all I can because he is a very good guy, a professional and respectful guy. The situation he has with us is something I must take a decision on, but trying not to damage the player as less as possible. He deserves the best for him. After it, if he is leaving, we can maybe try to use the position he is [in] to let us work something [in the market].
“Until now, we only signed Alysson because we believe in his potential. Of course, we are opening the door for players with more experience. The players we have, I am so happy. In case we are not signing more players, I am really convinced myself to get the objective we have this season.”
Emery added: “The problem we have with Harvey is that he is on loan, and in case he plays matches we must buy him. We decided two months ago that we are not convinced to sign him, spending the money we would need to.
“This is the only issue. He is training every day with very good behaviour and to help us in training sessions. This is not something good for us and him, but this is football and sometimes we must make decisions.”
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