Aston Villa Chief Issues Brutal Verdict As Liverpool Deal Hits Crisis Point: Should The Lions Break The Deadlock? | OneFootball

Former Aston Villa boss Keith Wyness says Liverpool will not get the full £35 million for Harvey Elliott this summer. Speaking on Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness claims Aston Villa will refuse to pay the mandatory buyout price the clubs put in the midfielder’s loan deal. He is pushing the Reds to lower their demands.

Liverpool Faces £35m Transfer Blow as Wyness Urges Compromise

A fee between £15 million and £20 million would likely end the stalemate. Wyness thinks this move allows Unai Emery to actually use Elliott for the rest of the season. Emery could play him without worrying about a massive bill hitting the club.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “They’re very tight on budget, so it’s going to have to be something like £15m or £20m they might be able to accept, and you know they’ll be allowed to play him more than the 10 games this season, so I think he’s at seven or eight, but anyway that’s the sort of negotiation I think that will happen, and I think it could work out for both teams.

“I don’t think that he’d be at £35m anyway if he came back to Liverpool or was free in the summer. I don’t think Liverpool are going to get the £35m for him. So I think they’re better off seeing if they can get something done with Villa right now.

“So that’s the dynamics at play, and I’d hope it can get resolved. I think for both groups and for the player himself, I think that makes sense. But he’s got Douglas Luiz now back at Villa as well, who’s a very good player from the inside out. So there’s competition in that midfield for Unai Emery.

“They’re still in Europe. So look, I hope it gets resolved, but that’s the way I would see it happening if it’s going to get resolved.”  

What should Aston Villa do?

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – JANUARY 29: Harvey Elliott of Aston Villa FC reacts during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Aston Villa FC and FC Salzburg at Villa Park on January 29, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

This contract mess has left the 22-year-old England U21 star stuck on the sidelines. As of February 10, 2026, Elliott has only played seven times for Villa. Emery has kept him on the bench lately. The manager knows three more games will force the club to pay £35 million. Right now, Aston Villa clearly don’t want to spend that kind of money.

Things got tougher for Elliott in January. Villa brought back Douglas Luiz on loan from Juventus. That move made the midfield even more crowded. Luiz had a hard time in Italy, but he knows this system well. His arrival drops Elliott even further down the list. Now, a talented young playmaker’s career is stalling during a big year for his growth.

Villa need to fix this deal right away. Keeping a player in limbo over a contract doesn’t help anyone. Liverpool lose money as his value drops with every missed game. At the same time, Villa pay wages for a player they won’t even use. A price around £15-20 million makes the most sense.

It accounts for Elliott’s lack of game time while still respecting his talent. If the clubs don’t agree on a new deal before summer, Elliott goes back to Anfield with his value at an all-time low. Liverpool end up with a player worth less than before, and Villa waste a loan spot. It’s time for some common sense.