Liverpool move one step CLOSER to unexpected £30m agreement

Liverpool have taken a surprise step towards a £30m agreement. It was thought to be off the table at this stage.

Liverpool's 2025 deals all look very different now to when they were struck. The Reds spent over £400m on new players but very few of them have actually delivered on what was promised.

Similarly, several sales look poor in hindsight. Injuries to Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and now Joe Gomez bring about questions around Jarell Quansah's departure - Liverpool could have used him this season.

Letting Luis Diaz leave without a replacement was another decision that felt strange at the time and continues to look that way. The squad lacks a direct, one-on-one forward and is weaker for it.

And then there's the Harvey Elliott loan. A complete mess that might finally head in the right direction.

Harvey Elliott in Aston Villa squad

It's difficult to overstate just how much of a mess the Elliott loan has been. Liverpool sent him off to Aston Villa for the season, with a clause in there that they must sign him for between £30m and £35m if he plays at least 10 matches (the Athletic).

Now, that was always a risky one. Villa quickly decided they didn't want to spend that kind of money - something that was always possible given their financial situation - and so Elliott has been left on the bench.

That should open the door to the deal being cancelled. However, Liverpool are unable to loan Elliott out again because he's already played for two clubs this season. It's simply infuriating that one of those clubs was Liverpool, and it was for a solitary minute at the start of the campaign.

And so if the Reds bring him back, they'd have to use him. They're clearly against that idea and would prefer to leave him at Villa out of hope that they eventually trigger the clause.

Elliott has just five appearances for them, with his last coming on October 2nd. Unai Emery has basically frozen him out, such is Villa's eagerness to avoid that clause.

But injuries may change everything. Elliott is in Villa's squad to face Newcastle United on Sunday and if he gets on, it moves everyone a step closer to that deal.

And does it in two ways. Elliott would literally be one game further towards the clause but it also offers him a chance to show his value on the pitch - and potentially earn his way to Villa wanting him permanently.

We'll see how it goes but that's maybe the only way this entire story has a happy ending.

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