Harvey Elliott is still on loan from Liverpool to Aston Villa after Deadline Day—now he faces a lost year. This also has to do with a momentous contract clause.
After his outstanding performance at the U-21 European Championship, many doors were open to Harvey Elliott in the summer, but it looks like he chose the wrong one. The 22-year-old midfielder was loaned from Liverpool FC to Aston Villa in order to finally become a regular in the Premier League. Instead, since this week, he is facing the prospect of a completely lost year more than ever.
Although Elliott had not even appeared in a matchday squad at his new club for months, his situation did not change during the winter transfer window. Villa would reportedly have had to pay compensation for terminating the loan early, and the Reds apparently did not want him back.
This could also be related to a special clause in the loan agreement. Villa must sign Elliott permanently once he has played a certain number of competitive games, ten according to English media reports. The transfer fee is said to be between €35 and €40 million. Since Elliott came on as a substitute in the closing stages of last Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Brentford FC—his first league minutes since September—he is now just three appearances away from triggering the clause.
Emery: “I know we’re hurting him”
Ahead of Saturday’s away game at Bournemouth (4 p.m.), Villa manager Unai Emery appealed to Liverpool officials to agree on new terms for the loan—in Elliott’s favor. “There are two sides to this: the sport and the business,” explained the Spaniard. From a sporting point of view, he told Elliott: “We need your qualities on the pitch, you’re playing.”
But because the clause exists – and Villa clearly finds the transfer fee too high – “the key lies in Liverpool’s hands. I told him that it would be fair for him if Liverpool removed it.“ However, talks to this effect had already begun ”three months ago” – without success.
The situation is made even more interesting by the fact that Villa and Liverpool are direct competitors for a Champions League spot and Emery is currently without several midfielders due to injury. “I know we’re hurting him,” the coach emphasizes. Will the Reds soften their stance after the transfer window closes due to a lack of alternatives, even though they would be helping a rival in sporting terms? The regulations allow it: while the loan is cemented until the summer, associated clauses can still be adjusted now.
