Aston Villa have opened talks with Liverpool in the hope of reaching a complex deal over Harvey Elliott’s future.
The 22-year-old has faced a difficult situation in the Midlands, with his season in doubt due to contract terms and FIFA transfer rules.
Aston Villa are hoping to reach an agreement with Liverpool
The loan, which was intended to revive Elliott’s season, has reportedly become the norm for the player.
According to a report from The Athletic, Villa made an early strategic decision to limit Elliott’s appearances.
The club are reluctant to meet a certain 10-game threshold, which would automatically trigger an obligation to buy a player from Liverpool, a financial obligation that Villa appear keen to avoid.
The situation is complicated in terms of the loan agreement. Liverpool do not have a recall clause, meaning the power to end the deal early rests with Aston Villa.
However, ending his loan spell would require Villa to pay the fee, making a return to Merseyside far from straightforward.
Therefore, Villa officials are hopeful that a new deal can be reached with the Reds to facilitate Elliott’s exit without incurring huge fines.
The report states that although manager Unai Emery has publicly indicated that Elliott will be short of minutes due to intense competition for the ‘No 10’ role, sources suggest there is deep frustration on the part of the player over broken promises of playing time.
Despite this, Harvey Elliott was praised by staff for maintaining a professional and polite attitude in the training ground throughout the ordeal.
Harvey Elliott limited options in January
Elliott’s potential return to Liverpool presents its own set of challenges. The ‘world-class’ midfielder is currently under management obligations which could effectively end his season if he leaves Villa Park.
Having already represented Liverpool earlier this season before moving to the Midlands, Elliott has played for two clubs during the current campaign.
Under FIFA rules, a player cannot represent a third club in the same season. This rules out a loan to another Premier League or European club during the winter window.
If Elliott returns to Anfield, he is likely to leave the team unless he gets the chance to go to a league that works on a different calendar, such as Major League Soccer or the Saudi Pro League.
As negotiations continue, both clubs must balance the finances of the development of a player eager for a chance to prove himself.
The possibilities are limited under Arne Slot
Elliott’s move to Villa Park was born out of a desperate need for regular football after a difficult 2024-25 campaign. While the midfielder was a key figure under Jurgen Klopp, he found minutes hard to come by during Arne Slott’s first season at Anfield.
Despite making 28 appearances in all competitions last term, Elliott was restricted to just six starts, with his minutes down to 822, a stark contrast to the 2,700+ minutes he enjoyed last year.
He was often used as a substitute, a role highlighted by his stunning winner against PSG in the Champions League.
However, with strong competition blocking his way into the starting XI, Elliott ended up on loan to renew his development ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
