Harvey Elliott’s difficult spell at Aston Villa has taken another twist, with growing indications that the former Liverpool midfielder could be heading back to Anfield far sooner than expected. After a frustrating first half of the season, the 22-year-old’s future is suddenly wide open — and several clubs are circling.
Minutes Drying Up at Villa Park
Elliott joined Villa in search of regular football, but things haven’t gone according to plan. Under Unai Emery, the youngster has managed just five appearances, falling well short of establishing himself in a competitive squad. He was even left out entirely for Villa’s recent 1–0 win over Wolves, raising fresh doubts about his role.
Emery insists the lack of playing time is simply down to form and competition, though some observers believe Villa may be reluctant to activate the expensive purchase clause tied to his appearances.
Clubs Watching Closely
West Ham and RB Leipzig are monitoring the situation closely. Both sides had tried to secure Elliott previously — with Leipzig going as far as agreeing personal terms. The Bundesliga club, now heavily influenced by former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp, couldn’t strike a deal on the transfer fee, but their interest has not faded.
Brighton, Nottingham Forest and others are also expected to revisit their summer evaluations.
The Four-Year Agreement That Never Happened
Before joining Villa, Elliott had already shaken hands with Leipzig on a four-year contract, a move that could easily be revived if Liverpool chooses to offload him permanently next year.
Loan Clause Complications
Elliott’s Villa switch includes a £35m obligation to buy, set to trigger only if he reaches a certain number of appearances — believed to be 10. With just half that tally so far, and Villa wary of breaching UEFA’s financial rules, the club appears reluctant to edge any closer to activating it.
Because of this, a January return to Liverpool is very much on the table, provided all parties agree.
The FIFA Rule That Can’t Be Ignored
There’s one major complication. Elliott has already featured for two clubs this season. FIFA rules prevent a player from appearing for a third team in the same campaign — unless that club is based in a country whose season overlaps the Premier League’s calendar, such as MLS.
This means that if Elliott returns to Liverpool mid-season, he can train — but cannot play competitively for the Reds until the next campaign.
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