Harvey Elliott handed left-field transfer option and Aston Villa escape route

A surprise transfer link has emerged for Harvey Elliott, with reports suggesting a left-field move could help him move on from a frustrating period at Aston Villa

Harvey Elliott has been linked with a move to the MLS(Image: Getty Images)

Major League Soccer outfit Charlotte FC is prepared to offer Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott a way out of his current impasse.

The 22-year-old, on loan at Aston Villa, has been marginalised under Unai Emery and is not expected to feature going forward. While Villa could opt to terminate the loan early, Elliott also appears surplus to requirements under Liverpool head coach Arne Slot, as reflected by the absence of a recall clause in the agreement.

Elliott has already made two appearances for Liverpool and five for Villa this season, ruling him out of joining another European club due to registration rules. However, a move to the MLS remains permitted, putting Charlotte FC and other MLS sides on alert.

That scenario is a far cry from what Liverpool, Aston Villa, or Elliott had in mind when he sealed a deadline-day loan move to the Midlands, a deal that included an obligation to make the transfer permanent next summer for £35 million ($47 million).

However, there is now little expectation that clause will be triggered.

The Daily Mail reports Charlotte FC has secured the discovery rights to the England Under-21 international and is prepared to offer Elliott a clear pathway back to regular soccer, rather than seeing him spend the remainder of the season on the sidelines.

Head coach Dean Smith, formerly of Aston Villa, alongside general manager Zoran Krneta, both boast strong links to the United Kingdom, which are understood to have played a key role in positioning Charlotte at the front of the queue.

While Elliott’s preference remains a return to the Premier League, Charlotte is hopeful the prospect of consistent minutes, coupled with the United States co-hosting the World Cup this summer, could prove appealing.

Harvey Elliott has struggled for game time at Aston Villa(Image: Getty Images)

The club also believes his arrival would attract significant attention and keep him firmly in the spotlight.

Much now hinges on discussions with Aston Villa and Liverpool to determine whether a solution can be found to secure Elliott more regular playing time.

If no agreement is reached, the England U21 international could see Charlotte’s offer as the most viable short-term option before reassessing his situation in the summer.

The clear solution would be for Elliott to leave Villa and secure another loan move.

While there was plenty of Premier League interest in the midfielder last summer, FIFA regulations prevent him from representing three European clubs in a single season.

Liverpool.com says: A move to the MLS could be a smart short-term solution for Harvey Elliott. It would give him the regular playing time he’s missing at Villa, allow him to rebuild confidence, and keep him in the spotlight ahead of next season.