Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has revealed the truth about Harvey Elliott’s situation and urged Liverpool to change their stance
Harvey Elliott has made seven appearances for Aston Villa this season
Harvey Elliott has made seven appearances for Aston Villa this season(Image: Getty Images)
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Unai Emery has urged Liverpool to remove Aston Villa’s obligation to buy Harvey Elliott, insisting that the midfielder is being "damaged" by the situation.
Elliott joined Villa on loan from Liverpool on deadline day last summer, with the agreement including a clause that would make the move permanent if he made 10 appearances.
After playing his seventh game for Villa in the 1-0 defeat against Brentford last weekend, the midfielder would trigger a £35 million transfer fee if he makes three more appearances.
With essentially only two appearances left before the obligation kicks in, Villa have been in discussions with Liverpool for months to try and remove the clause.
Both clubs could still renegotiate the terms of the loan agreement, even though the winter transfer window closes on Monday.
“I spoke with him. We have been fair because there are two ways: one way is a sport, the second is business,” Emery explained on Friday. “We'll be fair in case, because we are trying it, and I told him, we are opening the door to play with us, because he can help us.
“But it's not only in my way and on my side. The other side is Liverpool. If they take off the clauses to play matches and for us to buy him, (I said to him) 'you are going to play here with us, it's a sport decision.’
“But now it's a sport decision and a business decision. My sport decision is still there - 'you are deserving to play, we need your qualities in the field, you are going to play.'
“But in case the clauses are still there, now it is Liverpool - they have the key. And I told him, it will be fair for him in case Liverpool take off this clause.
"We are speaking about it (taking off the clause) but not (just) now. We started speaking about it three months ago. Of course, the transfer window finished on Monday.
“It will be fair for him, because he's a calm guy, good guy, and he's a fantastic professional. And then his qualities are there.
"Of course he must play, and he's really being patient. And I know we are damaging him, because we got a deal with Liverpool in the summer and the deal is there, and we are respecting the decision and taking the sporting decision responsibly from my side.
“It can change for him, in case Liverpool take off this clause. If they don't want to, okay, but the player is getting damaged.”
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