England’s under-21 Euros hero Harvey Elliott has found himself surplus to requirements in the Premier League.
With his talents wasting away at Liverpool, he was shipped off to Aston Villa last summer in search of regular first-team football.
Instead, Elliott has found himself on the fringes of Unai Emery’s squad, playing just 174 minutes in all competitions so far this season. But having played for two European sides this season, FIFA regulations mean he cannot join another team on the continent.
Harvey Elliott has not played for Aston Villa since a four-minute cameo away at Feyenoord on October 2.placeholder image
Harvey Elliott has not played for Aston Villa since a four-minute cameo away at Feyenoord on October 2. | Getty Images
For the 22-year-old, this limits his options quite significantly; his only reasonable options left are to either try and join a Saudi Pro League club, or move to the MLS.
According to reports, Elliott is pushing for the latter. As previously reported by NationalWorld, Charlotte FC are keen on signing the midfielder on a loan deal - which is their only route to his signature as they cannot meet his £35m valuation.
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Now, Charlotte manager Dean Smith - formerly in charge of Aston Villa - has confirmed the rumours in an interview with Sky Sports.
He said: “I put the feelers out when I was over there.
“I was thinking about it and thought there is an opportunity there. If he's not going to play for Villa and he can't play anywhere else, then it would be an option for him to come and play some games before the World Cup break.
“If he's not playing between now and the World Cup, it's a shame. There is an opportunity for him to come and play out here if that's what Villa and Liverpool want him to do.”
Speaking about Elliott’s time at Aston Villa so far, manager Emery said: “I am respecting him all we can because he’s a very good professional, very respectful but the situation we have is something.
“The problem we have with Harvey is this year he is on loan and in case he is playing matches, we must buy him. We decided two months ago we are not convinced to sign him, spending the money we need. This is the issue.
“But he is training every day, very good with us to help us in training and of course it is not good for him or good for us, but it is football and sometimes we must take decisions that are not good for us.”
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