A transfer deal that once seemed dead in the water is back on track. Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott is now just three appearances away from making his loan move to Aston Villa permanent, thanks to a specific “obligation to buy” clause in his contract.
When Elliott joined Unai Emery’s side on loan last summer, the agreement included a mandatory purchase clause valued at £35 million. However, for the clause to become active, the 22-year-old Englishman must reach 10 appearances for Villa across all competitions.
The Great Turnaround
Until recently, the prospect of a permanent deal looked slim. Elliott had struggled for minutes under Emery, falling down the pecking order. Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano even reported back in October that Aston Villa was unlikely to meet the criteria for the permanent transfer, as the player had effectively lost his place in the squad.
However, a devastating injury crisis at Villa Park has changed everything. With key midfielders Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn, and Youri Tielemans sidelined, Emery has been forced to turn back to the Liverpool loanee.
The Countdown Begins
Elliott’s return to the fold has been swift. He played the full 90 minutes in a crucial Europa League victory over Red Bull Salzburg and featured as a second-half substitute in the recent Premier League clash against Brentford.
- The current tally stands at seven appearances. This means:
- 7 games played
- 3 games remaining to trigger the £35m clause
Liverpool’s Financial Boost
According to the BBC, Elliott’s stay at Villa Park until the end of the season is now all but guaranteed. For Liverpool, the activation of this clause represents a significant financial injection, allowing the Reds to recoup a premium fee for a homegrown talent.
While his future was clouded in doubt just months ago, Elliott now seems destined to remain in the West Midlands permanently, providing much-needed depth to a Villa side fighting on both domestic and European fronts.
Siara Costa is a football editor and writer covering both European men’s and women’s football, with a focus on league competitions, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling.
