Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott has completed a deadline day switch to Aston Villa on a season-long loan, with an obligation to make the move permanent next summer.
The deal, reported to be worth around £35 million, includes buy-back and sell-on clauses, ensuring Liverpool retain a stake in the midfielder future.
Discussions between the clubs focused on structuring the agreement to comply with UEFA’s financial restrictions, with Villa sources indicating a slightly lower figure of around £30 million. Elliott traveled to Birmingham on transfer deadline day to undergo a medical and formalise the move, marking the end of a protracted period of uncertainty over his future.
The move comes after Elliott, who played only 826 minutes in Arne Slot’s debut season, found himself outside Liverpool’s first-team plans. Liverpool’s summer squad overhaul, which included departures of Luis Díaz, Caoimhin Kelleher, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Darwin Núñez, left Elliott seeking opportunities elsewhere.
Elliott had been considering his options after falling down the pecking order under Slot, who signed Florian Wirtz for £116 million from Bayer Leverkusen in June to further increase the midfield competition at Anfield.
RB Leipzig had also expressed interest this summer, but the 22-year-old opted to remain in the Premier League under Aston Villa manager Unai Emery.
The obligation to buy is conditional on appearances, while Liverpool’s buy-back and sell-on clauses safeguard their long-term interests in one of their academy graduates. The move allows Elliott to re-establish himself as a key player at Villa Park and continue his development under a manager known for nurturing attacking talent.
The 22-year-old time at Liverpool has been highly decorated. Since joining the club in 2019, having previously come through Fulham’s academy, he made 149 appearances, scored 15 goals, and won two Premier League titles, a FIFA Club World Cup, a League Cup, and two FA Cups. A tribunal had determined that Liverpool would pay Fulham £4.3 million as part of the transfer package, which included a 20% sell-on clause.
The summer move follows Liverpool’s record-breaking £125 million signing of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United, marking a significant reshaping of Arne Slot’s squad in just one transfer window.
Recent additions limited Elliott’s chances of game time as a forward option and the versatile youngster is desperate for more first-team minutes after a year where he made only two Premier League starts, both of which came after the Reds had won the title.
RB Leipzig had been in talks with the Reds, but after selling Xavi Simons to Tottenham on Friday for £51 million, an offer never arrived, leaving Villa to swoop on deadline day. West Ham United and Fulham had also shown interest but the Reds midfielder turned down approaches from both London clubs.
Elliott, who was named Player of the Tournament at the Under-21 European Championship as England retained their title in June, now embarks on a new chapter at Aston Villa, where he is expected to play a central role in Emery’s attacking setup.
For Liverpool, the deal represents a strategic piece of squad management, ensuring Elliott has a clear path to first-team football while retaining future options through the buy-back and sell-on clauses.
For Elliott, it is a chance to shine consistently in the Premier League and continue the development that made him one of England’s brightest attacking midfield prospects.
