Aston Villa did something incredibly direspectful to Harvey Elliott as winter plan leaks into public
Aston Villa made an approach to sign Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall in January.
This news comes from a recent David Ornstein report, who outlines that the young Swede was on a list of Villa targets as they looked to strengthen in midfield during the window.
Spurs would pip Aston Villa to the signing of Conor Gallagher last month, further putting Bergvall out of favour under Frank, but they rebuffed any approaches made, with Chelsea also a long-term admirer of the 20-year-old.
Bergvall is currently sidelined with an ankle injury, but his performances under Ange Postecoglou last term showcased his sky-high potential.
Though all this does for Villa is further disrespect Harvey Elliott, who has had a hard time since his loan move from Liverpool.
Harvey Elliott has every right to feel disrespected after Aston Villa approach Lucas Bergvall
Unai Emery confirmed last week that Aston Villa have been negotiating with Liverpool for three months over the terms of Elliott’s loan.
The current agreement between the sides includes a clause requiring Villa to sign the attacker permanently for £35 million, should he rack up 10 appearances for the club – including five in the second half of the season.
As such, the 22-year-old has made just seven appearances for the club since joining at the end of the summer, with Emery admitting to it being “damaging” to his career.
After showing so much promise at Liverpool, a move to Villa Park seemed the perfect way to get Elliott playing consistently. And with the club looking to actively avoid paying the fee, he has every right to be frustrated with the approach for Bergvall.
Bergvall is one of the most highly rated young midfielders across the continent, and it would be a big coup if Villa were able to bring him to Bodymoor Heath.
But given his reputation and Tottenham’s lack of willingness to let him leave, he would likely cost a sum much larger than that of Elliott’s initial deal, leaving him wondering why he ever made the move in the first place, if Villa were unwilling to stump up what can be considered a bargain fee for a player with his talents.
Aston Villa reset simply has not worked for Harvey Elliott
Often held back by the world-class talent around him at Liverpool, Elliott’s move to Villa was supposed to be a coming of age, after his talismanic performance at last summer’s U21 European Championship guided England to glory.
The versatile forward scored 15 times and registered 20 assists across 149 appearances for Liverpool, having played just 7,041 minutes. For context, Dominic Szoboszlai arrived three years after Elliott and has racked up 9,171 in a red shirt.
Though as mentioned, his move to the Midlands simply hasn’t worked.
Racking up just 110 minutes of Premier League football, he has been given little to no time to impress, while he has simply not been able to due to initial clauses in the deal to sign him.
And while Villa are unwilling to bring him in permanently, they are approaching another young star in Lucas Bergvall.
The current campaign will go down as a wasted one for Elliott, who will find himself back at Liverpool in the summer having not progressed at all during his spell away.
For more Aston Villa and Harvey Elliott news, check out Football Insider for all the latest.