Harvey Elliott will return to Liverpool after Aston Villa exit
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Credit: Imago
Jack Heath
Thu 4 September 2025 14:28, UK
Harvey Elliott is likely to go straight back to Liverpool if he impresses during his time at Aston Villa after the club put a buy-back clause in the deal.
The Englishman had been on Liverpool‘s list of sellable assets in the summer window with RB Leipzig the firm favourites to sign Elliott.
The German side were eventually pipped to the post as Aston Villa won the race to sign Elliott from Liverpool on deadline day to bring the 22-year-old to Villa Park.
The youngster’s deal includes an obligation to buy the five-foot-seven midfielder for £35million at the end of the loan spell (Sky Sports) as the Reds look set to turn a handsome profit.
Credit: Hasan Karim – Breaking Media
However, the inclusion of a buy-back clause in the agreed sale suggests that Arne Slot is not prepared to let the England Under-21 European champion completely leave his grasp and could make a future return to Anfield.
Having become a regular towards the latter stage of Jurgen Klopp’s tenure on Merseyside, many Liverpool fans felt the Englishman was on the cusp of a breakout season.
Just before Slot arrived, the ex-Fulham maestro notched four goals and 11 assists in 53 appearances, highlighting critical steps in his development.
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When the Dutchman took charge, Elliott was reduced to a bitter rotation role for the Reds, featuring just 18 times in the Premier League, starting only twice.
Naturally, this would lead to immense frustration and an obvious need to move elsewhere to get regular minutes, especially as he then starred as England under-21s retained their Euros title in the summer.
Whilst the move to Villa should be a beneficial one for the number 19, the buy-back clause in the agreement indicates Slot will keep a close eye on the young Englishman and may look to tempt him back to Anfield if he stuns at Villa Park.
Credit: Imago
Mohamed Salah signed a new deal with Liverpool last season which would keep the number 11 at Anfield until the end of the 2026-27 campaign.
Given the former Chelsea right-winger will be 35-years-old upon the expected expiration of his contract, it would be highly likely that the club would let the Egyptian leave on a free.
This could be the vital factor that would lead to the second coming of Elliott, given he can play both as a centre-attacking midfielder and a right-winger.
If the Englishman impresses during his time in Birmingham, why would the Kop risk a transfer on a player who is unproven for the Liverpool team, when they can simply bring back one of their own?
Harvey Elliott 2024-25 all competitionsAppearances28Minutes played867Goals5Assists3(Source: Sofascore)
It is a play that makes a lot of sense and, if there was no Salah in the way, I could see the 22-year-old wanting to come back to Anfield to complete the job he started.
Even if the price is higher than what they will sell him for, the red half of Merseyside have shown they are unafraid to spend large as exhibited by the stunning summer window that went well over £400m and set a new record.
Sporting director Richard Hughes is a shrewd operator and this integral clause in the deal with Aston Villa could be another strategic move to maintain the Reds dynasty.