Liverpool star faces huge transfer call after wasted year with Andoni Iraola need clear
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When Harvey Elliott moved to Aston Villa last summer, it looked like the ideal next step for his career, only for the transfer move to backfire in a way no one predictedAndoni Iraola on the touchline at Nottingham Forest's City Ground.(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)Harvey Elliott certainly enjoyed his time at the Europa League final with Aston Villa, dancing around with his teammates and lifting the trophy aloft, before wholeheartedly joining in the post-victory party.At Liverpool, Elliott grew used to such occasions, even if he wasn't ever the first name on the teamsheet, winning the Premier League title just last year. His transfer move to Villa Park, though, was a wasted season.Though Elliott never kicked up a fuss and trained diligently under Unai Emery, instead of parading another piece of silverware, the 23-year-old would have been well within his rights to feel aggrieved at the treatment he had received.When Elliott made the switch, no one thought that he would be coming back to Liverpool a year later.
Elliott was essentially frozen out because Aston Villa didn't want to trigger a permanent deal.Harvey Elliott celebrates winning the Europa League with Aston Villa.(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)The Midlands side has frequently pointed to PSR and the Premier League's financial restrictions holding it back in recent years, albeit it has just secured a place in the Champions League again.In reality, however, it is missteps like this one — transfer mistakes and a lack of proper planning — that have proven costly. Emery has wasted millions on expensive moves for the likes of Jadon Sancho and Donyell Malen, plus Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford on loan.With Elliott, the difference was that it was the player who suffered.It is bizarre, really, that Emery didn't want to play him to avoid making the deal permanent, given that Aston Villa had agreed to the terms in the first place.It is perfectly reasonable not to want to buy Elliott at the end of the loan, but then why sign up to that arrangement to begin with?Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kitThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.
As a result, Elliott is now back at square one again.Last summer, Elliott had interest from the likes of RB Leipzig, which could be rekindled. Given the lack of attacking options that Liverpool has at the moment — and its change of head coach — there might be an argument for him staying with the Reds too.Elliott played so little last year that he needs to be guaranteed minutes wherever he is in the upcoming campaign, though.