Need to know
Liverpool loanee Harvey Elliott has not featured for Aston Villa since October with Unai Emery's side looking to find a resolution to his Villa Park tenure
Aston Villa's Harvey Elliott
Aston Villa's Harvey Elliott is stuck in limbo after Unai Emery revealed the club would not be signing the midfielder permanently(Image: )
Everything you need to know about Harvey Elliott's future after Unai Emery looks set to recall Leon Bailey from AS Roma...
Loan stagnation: Harvey Elliott has struggled for playing time since joining Aston Villa on loan from Liverpool during the summer transfer window. He has only made seven appearances across all competitions and has not played in a Premier League match since September.
Transfer clause obstacle: A specific clause in the loan agreement requires Aston Villa to pay Liverpool £35million to make the move permanent if Elliott reaches 10 appearances. Manager Unai Emery decided two months ago that the club would not be triggering the purchase option.
Limited opportunities:Villa’s recent decision to recall Leon Bailey from his loan at AS Roma is expected to push Elliott further down the pecking order. This move significantly reduces the likelihood of the young midfielder getting the minutes he needs to develop.
Emery’s stance: Unai Emery has praised Elliott’s professional behavior and attitude during training despite the difficult circumstances. However, the manager admitted that the financial obligation tied to his appearances is the primary reason the player is being sidelined.
No recall option: Liverpool is unable to bring the player back to Anfield early because the loan agreement does not include a recall clause. Liverpool manager Arne Slot confirmed that the club has no power to intervene in Elliott's current situation at Villa Park.
Registration limbo: Elliott is currently stuck in a "limbo" state because he played for Liverpool at the very start of the season. FIFA regulations generally prevent a player from representing three different clubs in a single season, limiting his options for another move.
Training role only: Reports suggest that Villa has not contacted Liverpool to renegotiate the financial terms of the loan deal. As a result, it is increasingly likely that Elliott will remain at the club simply as an extra body for training sessions until the season ends.
Rejected alternatives: While there has been reported interest from MLS side Charlotte FC to take the midfielder, Elliott is reportedly not interested in a move to the United States. He appears set to stay in his current restricted position unless a different solution is found before the window closes.