Harvey Elliott could be excused for feeling disappointed as he prepares to return to Liverpool this summer. Put simply, his loan stint at Aston Villa hasn't unfolded as anyone involved could have reasonably anticipated.
On the face of it, Elliott appeared to be joining a club on the rise where he could develop his career and secure more regular football than he was getting under Arne Slot at Anfield. That's only been half true: Villa have prospered; he's scarcely played.
There was widespread expectation that Elliott would become a permanent Villa player in the summer of 2026, with Unai Emery's side unable to complete the transfer a year sooner due to PSR constraints.
What actually happened was that the appearance threshold needed to activate the agreed $47 million (£35 million) deal was never going to be met, because Emery made his position clear from the outset: he wasn't keen on it.
The Villa manager revealed he'd reached his conclusion within just a few weeks: he didn't want to sign Elliott on a permanent basis and didn't want to commit the kind of funds that had been negotiated, reports Liverpool.com.
What Emery actually wanted was for the arrangement to be reworked mid-season to remove the purchase clause, allowing Elliott to feature as regularly as the Spaniard wished without ever having to pay a transfer fee.
However, former Liverpool CEO Christian Purslow concluded that the Reds couldn't consent to that. They would then risk missing out on playing in the Champions League this season because of Elliott's contributions for a rival for the top five places in the form of Villa.
Having come off the bench for Liverpool, he couldn't leave in January and join another team in Europe because he had already reached the limit of having represented two sides in the same season.
Consequently, a deadlock ensued. Elliott has been limited to merely four Premier League outings since departing Liverpool, and he'll return to Anfield in the summer, essentially starting from scratch.
According to The Athletic, RB Leipzig is one possibility that could resurface for Elliott. A switch to Germany could prove highly beneficial.
Last summer, when it sold Xavi Simons to Tottenham, Leipzig did hold an interest in Elliott, though that didn't end up going anywhere in the end.
That is why the move to Villa ended up happening, though the Bundesliga side could return at the right price. They have a proven history of nurturing talents like Elliott and would offer a solid foundation for him in a league that should complement his abilities.
At 23 years old, Elliott must ensure his next move is the correct one. Joining a Leipzig side experiencing resurgence and returning to the Champions League appears to be a prudent choice.
