What's next for Harvey Elliott? His doomed loan spell has no winners
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Harvey Elliott faced an agonising wait on Transfer Deadline Day, hoping that his parent club Liverpool, and his loan club Aston Villa came to an agreement over the disaster loan spell he has endured in the Midlands... but they never did.This time last year, Elliott was flying high with the Reds squad who were on their way to a Premier League title. Fast forward some months later, and Elliott finds himself stuck in a predicament where he is unwanted by both Liverpool and Villa.Are there any actual winners in this doomed loan spell?
The threat of unnecessarily breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) for a player the manager does not even want, is combined with the obligation to buy and pay £35m to Liverpool if Elliott makes 10 appearances.Had Villa not agreed to the clause in the first place, they would not have their hands tied. Unlike the transfer deadline, there are no time limitations for this saga so the possibility still remains of Elliott retruning to Anfield.However, Liverpool's stance shows that there is little desire in bringing back a player they believed would be leaving the club on a permanent basis.Harvey ElliottHaving featured for Liverpool in August and September, Elliott has already played for two European clubs this season.
This shut down all possibilities of the loan being terminated for the midfielder to move elsewhere, which rationalises Liverpool's stance on the subject.As far fetched as they were for a player of his quality, there were even links to MLS side Charlotte FC in January.The only positive to come out of this, for any party, is for possible suitors to look at Elliott's professionalism during this tumultuous loan spell. He has reportedly gained the respect of those at Villa as he has continued to work hard, train with the first team and attend community projects.For whoever Harvey Elliott plays for next season, they will have a player who is mentally years older in maturity.