Aston Villa deal for Harvey Elliott not all it seems as finer Liverpool details emerge
Aston Villa seemingly managed to save their transfer window on deadline day by securing two quality signings.
Jadon Sancho joined Villa on a season-long loan from Manchester United as the winger looks to follow in the footsteps of Marcus Rashford, who revived his career under Unai Emery after leaving Old Trafford.
Villa also signed Harvey Elliott on loan from Liverpool, with Villa having an obligation to buy next summer that is conditional on the number of appearances he makes.
However, further details regarding the player’s move from Anfield have now emerged, which will not make for good reading if you’re a Villa supporter.
Two clauses in Harvey Elliott’s move to Aston Villa revealed
Elliott, 22, will be hoping to provide that creative spark that Emery’s side have lacked so far this season, with Villa’s loss to Palace meaning they enter the September international break with one point from their opening three Premier League matches.
With Elliott and Sancho set to be embedded into the team after the international break, this could be set to change as the pair have the quality to potentially help turn Villa’s fortunes around.
But according to Paul Joyce on X on 1 September, Elliott could end up back at Anfield if the attacking midfielder shines during his stint at Villa Park.
Joyce reported following Elliott’s £35million move to B6 that Liverpool have included a sell-on and, more worryingly, a buy-back clause in the deal with Villa.
Effectively, Elliott will be a permanent signing for Villa for as long as Liverpool want him to be, as they seemingly have the upper hand in this deal.
Aston Villa could not afford to be picky
NSWE effectively backed themselves into a corner by leaving their transfer business so late in the window.
Although Villa may have had to cave to these two Liverpool demands, securing Elliott’s signature at Villa Park is still a quality piece of business for a relatively modest fee.
- Previous reports suggested Elliott was valued by Liverpool at around £50m
- Villa will have secured the youngster’s services for significantly less if he makes his move permanent next summer
- The buy-back clause will likely be more than the £35million, effectively guaranteeing Villa profit if Liverpool ever activates the clause
At that late stage of the window, it was better to sign Elliott, knowing these clauses have been put in place as opposed to not signing the talented playmaker at all.
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