Image Credits: Imago Images
Harvey Elliott’s loan situation at Aston Villa has a topic all January. Elliott joined Villa on transfer deadline day last August in what appeared to be an ideal move for all parties – a season-long loan with a £35 million obligation to buy should he reach 10 appearances across all competitions. Liverpool shrewdly inserted sell-on and buy-back clauses into the agreement, reflecting their long-term faith in the England Under-21 international.
But after reaching 5 appearances for the Villains in October, the Birmingham club got cold feet and started freezing the Liverpool man out of the squad, not wanting to pay the obligation to buy figure.
Reports even emerged that Charlotte FC in the MLS, managed by former Villa boss Dean Smith, had expressed concrete interest in taking Elliott on loan until June to save the situation. The MLS side had even secured discovery rights for the player and were prepared to offer him regular playing time ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
However, the situation has warmed up slightly. Elliott made his first start in 123 days in the Europa League as Aston Villa secured a 3-2 win over RB Salzburg. He also came off the bench at the weekend in a 0-1 defeat to Brentford.
Now the BBC are reporting that Elliott will stay at Villa for the rest of the season as Unai Emery’s side is battling with injuries:
“Harvey Elliott is expected to stay on loan at Aston Villa,” reports Nick Mashiter.
“The Liverpool loanee’s future has been in doubt since Villa boss Unai Emery decided he did not want to make his move from Anfield permanent.”
“Yet after an injury crisis at Villa with Boubacar Kamara out for the season and John McGinn and Youri Tielemans out for months, Elliott has featured in Villa’s last two games – having not played since 2 October.”
Arne Slot has shown no appetite to activate a recall – and no recall clause exists in the loan agreement anyway – so it seems the most likely “solution” has been reached.
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