When Harvey Elliott completed a season-long loan move to Aston Villa last summer, it looked like the young midfielder would get a new lease of life and a chance to really show what he could do in the Premier League.
Elliott had been a bit-part player at Liverpool, although he was trusted by former boss Jurgen Klopp and often popped up with important goal contributions.
He needed to leave Anfield to find himself and to secure regular game time. He had mustered 36 goal contributions in 149 matches for the Reds, but those came in just 7,040 minutes of action, meaning he averaged a goal contribution in just over every three matches played.
Harvey Elliott Conditions for Permanent Aston Villa Transfer
harvey elliott
He made the move to Villa having played a starring role for England U21s at the European U21 Championships. He scored five goals during the tournament, including goals in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final as the young Three Lions lifted the trophy.
Villa completed a season-long loan deal that had an obligation to buy the midfielder for a £35million fee at the end of the campaign, should certain conditions be met - namely that he plays ten matches for the Villans.
But that condition will not be met.
Unai Emery has confirmed that Villa will not be signing the 22-year-old permanently and after just five appearances for the Midlands outfit, he will not reach that figure.
Unai Emery Rules Out Transfer
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery throws his hands up
Emery said: "The problem we have with Harvey is that this year 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 sign him.
"This is the only issue. He is training every day, always every day with very good behaviour and to help us in training sessions.
"This is not something good for him and good for us, but this is football and sometimes we must take some decisions which are not good for everyone."
Elliott has interest from Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC, but he is not keen on moving to MLS. And that leaves his options very limited indeed.
The 22-year-old came on in the 96th minute of Liverpool's dramatic 3-2 win over Newcastle in August, before making the move to Villa Park, meaning he has already played for two clubs in the 2025/26 campaign.
What The FIFA Rule Says Exactly
FIFA Executive Committee Meeting in Nyon
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - OCTOBER 20: The FIFA logo is seen outside the FIFA headquarters prior to the FIFA Executive Committee Meeting on October 20, 2011 in Zurich, Switzerland. During their third meeting of the year, held over two days, the FIFA Executive Committee will approve the match schedules for the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. (Photo by Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)
FIFA
That means he cannot sign for another club in the Premier League, or any other European league where the seasons run concurrently - or at least he cannot play for them because of a strict FIFA rule.
Under FIFA's Regulations for the Status and Transfer of Players, Article 5.3 states: “Players may be registered for a maximum of three clubs during the period from 1 July until 30 June of the following year. During this period, the player is only eligible to play in Official Matches for two clubs."
The only exception to this rule is players signing for clubs with overlapping seasons - like MLS - meaning he could play in America were a transfer to be completed.
Elliott will have to wait until the summer to end his nightmare and put the 2025/26 season well and truly behind him.