Harvey Elliott's loan spell at Aston Villa isn't going to plan. The Liverpool midfielder hasn't kicked a ball in anger since October, and now former Reds star Danny Murphy is telling him to seriously think about a move to MLS.
Here's the situation: Elliott has already played for two Premier League clubs this season - Liverpool and Villa. That means he can't join a third European club until next season. But MLS operates on a different schedule, so that door's still wide open.
The 22-year-old made one brief appearance for Liverpool against Newcastle back in August before heading to Villa Park on deadline day. Since then, it's been rough. Villa boss Unai Emery has barely used him, and there's a good reason why.
The £35m Problem at Villa Park
Villa have a clause in Elliott's loan deal that's causing headaches. If he plays 10 games, they're obligated to pay Liverpool £35 million to make the move permanent. With Elliott currently sitting on just a handful of appearances, it's clear Villa aren't convinced he's worth that price tag.
Emery himself admitted in January that they decided two months ago not to trigger the buy clause. "We are not convinced to sign him, spending the money we need," the Villa manager said. That's brutal honesty, but it explains why Elliott's been frozen out.
For anyone betting on Villa's lineup choices or Elliott's next destination, this financial factor is crucial. Emery won't risk bringing him on as a substitute if it edges closer to that 10-game threshold.
Murphy's Advice: Don't Rule Out America
Danny Murphy, speaking to BestBettingSites.co.uk, thinks Elliott should seriously consider Charlotte FC. "Harvey Elliott is a super talent. He's got a great attitude and we'll definitely see him playing in the Premier League and succeeding," Murphy said.
The former Liverpool midfielder added that sometimes things just don't work out. If Emery only sees Elliott as a number 10, he's competing with Morgan Rogers and Emi Buendía. That's tough competition.
Reports in January suggested Elliott wasn't keen on heading to MLS. But Murphy's making a good point - sitting on Villa's bench for months does nobody any favors. He needs minutes, and Charlotte can offer them.
Other players have made similar moves. Wilfried Zaha joined Charlotte on loan in January 2025 after playing for multiple clubs that season. Javier Hernandez did the same thing with LA Galaxy back in 2020 after featuring for both West Ham and Sevilla.
Elliott did make Villa's bench for their Newcastle win on Sunday, sparking rumors that Liverpool and Villa might be renegotiating the loan terms. Maybe they're removing that expensive obligation clause? Nothing's confirmed yet, but it would make sense for everyone involved.
For Liverpool fans and bettors watching the transfer deadline, this one's worth monitoring closely. Elliott's talent is undeniable, but he needs playing time to develop. Whether that's in Charlotte or elsewhere remains to be seen.
