Aston Villa are working on a loan deal for Harvey Elliott with an obligation to make the deal permanent next summer.
Elliott’s future is one of several that will be decided on deadline day, with Leipzig and Aston Villa among those to have identified the 22-year-old as a target.
The Athletic‘s David Ornstein now reports that Arson villa are “closing in” on a deal to sign Elliott on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy him next summer.
The Times‘ Paul Joyce adds that the fee would be “around” £35 million, which would be a considerable profit on Liverpool’s books.
Ornstein states that “discussions between the clubs have centred around a structure of an agreement that ensures Villa comply with UEFA’s financial restrictions.”
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Liverpool’s £125 million agreement for Alexander Isak has opened the door for Elliott’s exit, who is known to prefer to stay in the Premier League over a move abroad.
The club were seeking a deal for their No. 18 in excess of £40 million plus a buy-back option, or above £50 million without one if he was to move on after six years at Anfield.
Aston Villa have been in the market for reinforcements this summer having only signed forward Evann Guessand and goalkeeper Marco Bizot, with their 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace compounding their woes.
Unai Emery’s side will compete in the Europa League this season and Elliott will not be short on opportunities, something Slot cannot promise the 22-year-old.
Elliott has made 147 appearances for Liverpool after signing from Fulham in 2019, with the club made to pay £4.3 million in compensation, and he conceded this summer he had to consider what was best for his career.