Harvey Elliott's loan spell at Aston Villa has been far from fruitful, with the 22-year-old struggling for game time under Unai Emery. Now, MLS side Charlotte FC, managed by former Villa boss Dean Smith, are poised to offer the England Under-21 international an alternative route across the Atlantic.
Elliott joined Villa on loan from Liverpool in the summer after impressing at the Under-21 European Championship, where he was named player of the tournament. However, he has barely featured for Villa, and reports suggest that a £35 million permanent clause in his loan deal, triggered after 10 Premier League appearances, may be contributing to his lack of involvement.
Charlotte FC have secured the discovery rights for Elliott, according to the Daily Mail, and are keen to bring him to the United States. The move would be possible because Elliott cannot play for another European club this season, having already featured for Liverpool and Villa. A switch to the MLS would allow him to play until the summer, after which he could reassess his options.
Elliott's preference was to remain in the Premier League, but with that looking unlikely, he is considering the positives of a move to the US, including the potential for increased attention ahead of the World Cup. Dean Smith and Charlotte's general manager Zoran Krneta have strong UK connections, which they believe will aid negotiations.
Emery has made it clear that Elliott will not join Villa permanently, stating: 'He is on loan playing with us, but he is not definitely adding to us with a permanent contract. Hopefully we can get a solution for him to try to play consistently.'
Elliott's future at Liverpool also appears uncertain, as he was used sparingly by Arne Slot last season. A move to Charlotte FC could provide the playing time he needs to revive his career.
