Harvey Elliott has received a sizeable transfer boost regarding his chances of leaving Aston Villa this month.
Image Credits: Imago Images
Harvey Elliott’s loan spell at Aston Villa remains a hot topic this January transfer window. The 22-year-old has endured a frustrating campaign, managing just five appearances in all competitions, with his last outing coming back in September.
Unai Emery has been blunt about the situation, revealing that Villa made up their minds “two months ago” that they were “not convinced” about turning Elliott’s move permanent — a deal that would have cost the club around £35 million after 10 appearances.
It’s left Elliott trapped in a complicated contractual dilemma. FIFA rules prevent players from representing three different clubs in one season, and with the midfielder already having featured once for Liverpool before joining Villa, his options are now severely restricted. The Premier League’s loan regulations only add to the tangle, making a January exit anything but simple for the sidelined Reds talent.
However, there may be a glimmer of hope from across the Atlantic. MLS sides have started to take interest, with their calendar and regulatory system allowing Elliott to play this year. Notably, Charlotte FC — managed by former Villa boss Dean Smith — have already expressed their desire to hand the youngster a fresh opportunity to revive his season:
“I put the feelers out, obviously, when I was over there. I was thinking about it and thought, there is an opportunity here,” he said to Sky Sports.
“If he is not going to play at Villa and he can’t play anywhere else, then it would be an option for him to come and play some games up until the World Cup break.
“If he is not playing between now and the World Cup, it is a shame. There is an opportunity for him to come out and play here if that is what Liverpool or Villa wanted to do.”
The MLS transfer window opens on January 26 and runs through to March 26.
And it looks like Aston Villa won’t stand in his way either. The Guardian has reported that Unai Emery’s side are “working to terminate Harvey Elliott’s loan from Liverpool”.
With no recall clause in the original agreement, the Reds will also need to negotiate a termination of the loan, potentially waiving the loan fee to bring him back.
Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.