Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has made it clear that the club will not take up the option to sign Liverpool loanee Harvey Elliott on a permanent deal.
The 22-year-old, who joined Villa Park on deadline day, has struggled for game time and now looks set for an uncertain return to Merseyside.
Unai Emery rules out permanent move for Harvey Elliott
Speaking before Villa’s Europa League meeting with FC Basel, Emery was frank about the situation, effectively shutting down any chance of Elliott staying long-term.
The loan agreement included a £35 million obligation to buy if the midfielder made 10 appearances. With only five outings so far and none since October, that clause will almost certainly not be triggered.