Currently on loan from Liverpool
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Is Harvey Elliott potentially set to join Major League Soccer? As reported initially by the Daily Mail and confirmed by Fabrizio Romano and The Athletic, Charlotte FC is interested in acquiring the 22-year-old attacking midfielder on loan until summer. Elliott is currently on loan from Liverpool to Aston Villa but finds himself sidelined by coach Unai Emery. While Villa could end his loan by paying a substantial fee, he is also not included in Liverpool manager Arne Slot’s plans, which is why there is no recall clause in his agreement.
If Villa decides to terminate his loan, Elliott would have limited opportunities to play until the summer transfer window. He has already appeared for two clubs in Europe this season, preventing him from registering with a third team. However, Charlotte is open to providing him a chance to play until the end of June. After July 1, he would be eligible to join a club competing in one of Europe’s top leagues.
According to Romano, the decision now lies with the player. Nonetheless, several sources close to Elliott have informed Transfermarkt that he is currently very unlikely to join Charlotte. Elliott initially joined Aston Villa with an obligation to buy set at £35 million (€40 million). The deal also includes a sell-on clause and a buy-back option for Liverpool. If the obligation to buy is activated, Elliott would rank among the five most expensive signings in Villa’s history.
Elliott’s playing time has been limited – the obligation to buy is more complex than reported
The obligation to buy would be enacted if Elliott meets specific performance benchmarks, supposedly linked to his number of appearances. However, sources have indicated to Transfermarkt that the conditions surrounding the obligation to buy are more intricate than previously reported. Regardless, Elliott has faced challenges in securing playing time and is unlikely to meet the required performance metrics to make his transfer from Liverpool to Villa permanent.
Since joining Emery’s squad, Elliott has logged just 174 minutes over seven matches (scoring one goal) in all competitions. Emery appears to favor other players in his position, such as Morgan Rogers, who has excelled in a no.10 role this season. Additionally, Emery has options like Emiliano Buendía, Donyell Malen, and Jadon Sancho at his disposal. Given these factors, Elliott’s future seems to be at a significant standstill, and with Villa hesitant to activate his buy option, the playmaker is in need of an exit strategy. Although Charlotte may not be a viable option at present, his urgency for playing time could potentially shift the situation.
