Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has officially confirmed that the club will not activate the option to sign Harvey Elliott on a permanent basis.
The young midfielder, who moved to Villa Park on deadline day in search of consistent first-team opportunities, now faces an uncertain future as his time in the Midlands has not unfolded the way he had hoped.
Emery shuts down possibility of permanent transfer
Ahead of Villa’s Europa League clash with FC Basel, Emery was direct when addressing Elliott’s situation. He clarified that despite the clause included in the loan agreement, Villa have decided they will not pursue a long-term deal for the 22-year-old.
The loan arrangement reportedly contained a £35 million obligation to buy, but that clause would only become valid if Elliott made 10 appearances for the club. Having featured just five times — and not registering a single outing since October — the threshold will not be met, effectively ending any plans for a permanent stay.
Emery went on to explain that discussions are ongoing with Elliott regarding his next steps. According to the Villa boss, the priority is finding an environment where the midfielder can play regularly and continue developing, something that has been difficult for him to achieve at Villa Park. Tactical adaptation issues and strong competition for midfield roles have left Elliott on the fringes of the squad for much of the season, ultimately influencing the club’s decision.
What lies ahead for Harvey Elliott?
With Villa rejecting the permanent option, Elliott is now expected to return to Liverpool in the near future. The Reds allowed him to depart last summer after he fell lower in the pecking order under Arne Slot, and unless circumstances change, he may once again find himself facing limited opportunities at Anfield.
If Slot remains in charge, the likelihood is that Liverpool will explore another loan or potentially a permanent sale, possibly to a lower-table Premier League side or a team on the continent where he could enjoy more playing time.
However, Elliott’s future is not entirely closed off. Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has previously praised the youngster, calling him a “world-class” talent. Should Liverpool undergo a managerial change, Elliott could be handed a fresh opportunity to fight for his place at his boyhood club. A new manager might view his strengths differently and choose to reintegrate him into the squad.
For now, Elliott remains in a period of uncertainty. His next chapter will likely depend on developments at Liverpool over the coming months — particularly what happens in the Anfield dugout and whether a new manager believes he still has a role to play in the team’s long-term plans.
