Harvey Elliott looks set to move on deadline day, with Liverpool close to offloading him to Aston Villa on a year-long loan that carries an obligation to buy for around £35 million. The deal would come in well below the £50m-plus figure previously referenced for a permanent switch, and far cheaper than Liverpool had hoped earlier in the window.
The move comes after Elliott hadn’t been connected with Villa before deadline day; links instead pointed toward RB Leipzig, who reportedly bid around €40 million on deadline day, only to have that bid rejected as Liverpool and Elliott’s advisers weighed options. Now Villa have progressed and are on the verge of sealing the arrangement, which would see the midfielder spend a season at Villa Park with a pathway to a permanent switch.
The terms described suggest a loan for a year with an obligation to buy at about £35m. Earlier reporting had indicated Liverpool’s asking price was around £40m with a buyback clause, and a higher threshold (£50m-plus) for a sale without that tie to the Reds. The current structure marks a notable reduction in cost and could reflect the pressures of closing out transfers on deadline day.
What this could mean
– For Villa: A talented, first-team ready midfielder who already has Premier League experience, potentially boosting their creative options as they push for points and results.
– For Liverpool: A move that trims the immediate outlay and frees up space in a squad navigating a busy period, while still retaining a buyback-style pathway if Elliott thrives elsewhere.
– For Elliott: A fresh taste of top-flight football and a chance to showcase his versatility in a new environment with a clear route to a permanent move.
Possible reasons for the cheaper deal
– Deadline-day urgency often pushes clubs to strike quicker, with structured deals that minimize immediate cash outlay.
– A buyback or obligation arrangement can make a loan more attractive to the selling club while still offering future flexibility for the buying side.
Summary: Liverpool are poised to send Elliott to Aston Villa on a year-long loan with a guaranteed option to make the move permanent at approximately £35m, a price tag far lighter than earlier window expectations. If completed, the move could provide Elliott with regular playing time and a clear route to a long-term role at Villa, while offering Villa a creative upgrade and Liverpool a disciplined path to reinforcements.
This development highlights how deadline-day pressure can reshape transfer strategies, delivering a potential win-win for all sides involved.