Explained: Why Harvey Elliott remains trapped in his Aston Villa nightmare
Back in September, Harvey Elliott described joining Villa as something to which he “couldn’t say no”.
How he must regret, just five months on, not showing a bit more obstinance.
The “dream move” to Villa Park has become a nightmare in which Elliott now appears stuck, at least until May, with the closing of the transfer window.
Monday’s deadline passed without a clear resolution to his predicament.
There was no return to parent club Liverpool, believed to be the player’s first preference. Neither was there a renegotiation of his loan deal and that pesky, 10-match obligation to buy clause which has been the cause of so much trouble.
Whether the loan agreement can be amended outside of the transfer window is uncertain.
Even if it were the case, it is highly questionable whether Liverpool would have any interest in actually doing so.
Right from the start, they have been happy to leave the ball firmly in Villa’s court, with little indication of being prepared to budge on a deal which would require the latter to pay between £30-35million (both clubs continue to brief different fees) once Elliott hits the 10-match mark.
