Aston Villa have been offered the chance to agree a cut-price fee for the signing of a 'special talent', with the Villans already making a decision.
Villa's blistering title challenge has evaporated recently following a side in Premier League form that has seen Unai Emery's side claim just two top flight wins since the turn of 2026.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery before the match
The Midlands giants appeared genuine contenders when a remarkable 11-match winning streak in all competitions propelled them to within striking distance of Arsenal in December.
That momentum has now disintegrated, replaced by inconsistent performances yielding just eight points from their last six outings whilst dropping crucial ground on the league leaders.
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Villa have also failed to score in three of their last five league matches whilst managing only two clean sheets during that period.
Emery and co had hoped to maintain their festive form via a productive January transfer window, where they spent around £37 million on four major signings in Brian Madjo, Alysson, Tammy Abraham and Douglas Luiz.
Aston Villa's January signings Price
Alysson £8.7m
Brian Madjo £10m
Tammy Abraham £18.3m
Douglas Luiz Loan
Luiz had his heart set on re-joining Villa after enjoying his best years at the club before a failed move to Juventus, with Abraham also returning after firing them to Premier League promotion in 2019.
Emery's men still occupy third, yet their cushion over sixth-placed Liverpool has shrunk to just eight points.
More worryingly, their remaining schedule includes daunting encounters against Man City, Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool, fixtures that could determine whether their Champions League qualification dreams survive.
Key injuries haven't helped Emery's predicament.
Aston-Villa-John-McGinn
Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara and Andres Garcia all remain sidelined, robbing Villa of crucial midfield depth during a critical period.
New signing Alysson also remains unavailable despite returning to training, further limiting Emery's options.
Villa do have Liverpoool loanee Harvey Elliott on the bench and raring to go, but a complication surrounding his £35 million obligation to buy clause means Emery has decided to reduce his minutes.
Harvey Elliott for Aston Villa
The clause is triggered once Elliott plays a certain number of games, 10 to be exact, with the England Under-21 international already on seven as things stand.
Reliable reports suggest Emery doesn't want to sign Elliott on a permanent basis, so the number 10 is therefore stuck in limbo.
Aston Villa make Harvey Elliott decision with cut-price fee offered
Villa and Liverpool have held talks over re-negotiating the obligation fee, but to no avail, with Football Insider and journalist Pete O'Rourke now sharing another update on the matter.
Liverpool's Harvey Elliott celebrates
Liverpool's Harvey Elliott celebrates
According to their information, Villa have zero intention of striking a permanent deal for Elliott, even if it is for a 'cut-price' fee which O'Rourke relays could come down to around £20 million.
Indeed, despite seemingly being offered the chance to reduce his price by £15m, Emery still doesn't want to capture the player indefinitely.
It is quite the fall from grace for Elliott, who dazzled for England's Under-21s at the Euros last summer and led them to glory, with the ex-Fulham star picking up the Player of the Tournament award.
The 22-year-old bagged six goals in 11 matches during the tournament, including their opener against Germany in the final.
England's Omari Hutchinson celebrates scoring their second goal with Harvey Elliott, Jack Hinshelwood and James McAtee
England's Omari Hutchinson celebrates scoring their second goal with Harvey Elliott, Jack Hinshelwood and James McAtee
He also scored 15 goals and assisted 20 others in 149 appearances for Liverpool before departing for Villa, but what promised to be a fresh start has become a living nightmare.
After being called a 'special talent' at Anfield, the next step in Elliott's career is one many are following with great intrigue.
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