2 weeks ago
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€40m deal agreed
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After months of speculation, Harvey Elliott has found a new home. Liverpool confirmed on deadline day that they have loaned out Elliott to Aston Villa. The deal will include an obligation to buy worth £35 million (€40m). As part of the deal, Liverpool will have a sell-on clause and a buy-back option. If the obligation to buy is triggered, Elliott would become one of the five most expensive signings in Villa's history.
The 22-year-old has been in high demand all summer with the likes of RB Leipzig, West Ham and Fulham all showing interest. Transfermarkt understands that Leipzig showed serious interest in the playmaker. Elliott did have a call with Leipzig’s director of sport Marcel Schäfer, but the Red Bulls opted for other targets, signing, among others, Andrija Maksimovic (Crvena zvezda) and Johan Bakayoko (PSV Eindhoven), and finally Conrad Harder on deadline day.
Elliott had to look at other options, especially as Liverpool were asking for a significant transfer fee for the gifted playmaker. That price tag was in many ways justified. Elliott was a standout player at the U21 European Championships in the spring, scoring five goals in six games, leading England to the title.
Elliott to Aston Villa – Why were Liverpool willing to sell?
With all that in mind, why are Liverpool willing to sell Elliott? The Reds have been very busy this transfer window, spending close to €500m on new players. Among the arrivals were Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitiké. Then on deadline day, Alexander Isak was signed for a British transfer record fee of €145m. Those arrivals have significantly reduced Elliott’s first-team opportunities with Liverpool. Although Elliott is now set to depart, Liverpool believe in the player’s potential, which is underlined by the fact that a buyback clause was installed in the deal.
