Aston Villa have begun talks with Liverpool in hopes of reaching a complex agreement over Harvey Elliott’s future.
The 22-year-old midfielder is facing a difficult period in the Midlands, with the season stalled due to contractual provisions and FIFA transfer rules.
Aston Villa hopes to reach agreement with Liverpool
The loan move was initially intended to revitalize Elliott’s season, but it reportedly turned out to be a disastrous spell for the player.
According to a report from The Athletic, Villa made a strategic decision early on to limit Elliott’s availability.
Clubs are reluctant to meet a specific 10-game appearance threshold, which would automatically make them obligated to sign the player from Liverpool, but Villa are said to be keen to avoid making any financial commitments.
The situation is complicated by the terms of the loan agreement. Liverpool do not have a recall clause, meaning Aston Villa are technically within their rights to end the contract early.
However, Villa will have to pay a fee if his loan is terminated unilaterally, and his return to Merseyside will not be easy.
As a result, Villa officials hope a new mutual agreement can be reached with the Reds to facilitate Elliott’s departure without significant penalties.
According to the report, manager Unai Emery has publicly blamed Elliott’s lack of playing time on intense competition for the No. 10 spot, but sources suggest there is significant disappointment on the player’s part over the broken promise of playing time.
Despite this, Harvey Elliott was praised by staff for maintaining a professional demeanor and decorum on the training ground throughout the ordeal.
Harvey Elliott’s limited options for January
Elliott’s potential return to Liverpool comes with its own set of challenges. The ‘world class’ midfielder is currently in a regulatory bind and his season could effectively end if he leaves Villa Park.
Elliott, who had already represented Liverpool earlier this season before moving to the Midlands, has played for two clubs this season.
According to FIFA regulations, a player cannot represent a third club in the same season. This rules out any loan moves to other Premier League or European teams during the winter period.
Even if Elliott returns to Anfield, he is likely to be relegated to the sidelines unless he secures a move to a league that operates on a different calendar, such as Major League Soccer or the Saudi Professional League.
As talks continue, both clubs must weigh the financial implications against the development of players desperate for a chance to prove themselves.
Limited Opportunities at Arne Slots
Elliott’s move to Villa Park was born out of a desperate need for regular football after a disappointing 2024-25 campaign. The midfielder was a key figure under Jurgen Klopp, but found it difficult to get playing time during Arne Slott’s debut season at Anfield.
Despite playing in 28 games in all competitions last season, Elliott started just six games and saw his total playing time drop dramatically to 822 hours, compared to the more than 2,700 he enjoyed the year before.
He was frequently used as an impactful substitute, a role highlighted by his dramatic winning goal against PSG in the Champions League.
However, intense competition thwarted his path to the starting XI and Elliott was ultimately loaned out to reignite his development ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
