£35m midfielder can give Liverpool January transfer BOOST | OneFootball

Liverpool didn’t sign a midfielder in the summer transfer window.

Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo formed the midfield contingent for Arne Slot during the 2024/25 Premier League title win.

And at times the strain began to tell on some stars - with Gravenberch requiring more rest during the run-in and Mac Allister sitting out the end of the campaign altogether.

This season both of those players - along with Jones and Endo - have run into some further injury trouble. It means the Liverpool midfield department isn’t as strong as it could be right now.

Harvey Elliott frozen out by Villa

In fact sporting director Richard Hughes opted to get rid of several players from the position. He sold Tyler Morton to Lyon - a decision he may come to regret - while James McConnell and Harvey Elliott went on loan.

Elliott, 22, became a firm favourite at Anfield throughout his time at the club but found first-team breakthroughs increasingly hard to come by under Slot.

The England under-21 playmaker opted for a one-year loan deal at Aston Villa - which included an obligation to buy should certain criteria be met.

Elliott needs to play a minimum of 10 games for Villa’s clause to become active and it’s been reported that Unai Emery’s side must pay £35m for a permanent deal.

But at the moment it’s looking unlikely that such an option will be taken up. Elliott has only played five times for Villa thus far and there is increasing talk that the loan deal may well be cancelled in January.

Possibility of Elliott deal in January

“There’s a possibility he could go back,” reads a report in Football Insider.

“I’m sure like most of these loan deals, there will be a break clause in it for both clubs to reassess it.

“It’s pretty clear that this loan move is not going to plan for Harvey Elliott or Aston Villa right now.

“It’s not ideal for Villa, it’s not ideal for Liverpool and it’s definitely not ideal for Harvey Elliott who went to Villa in search of regular minutes.

“This sort of boosted his aspirations of trying to break into England’s squad, which looks further and further away now with his lack of action for Villa.

“I’m sure both clubs will look at it. Obviously there’s rumours, there’s obligation in the contract that it becomes a permanent deal if he makes 10 appearances.

“He’s only made five so far and it does seem that he’s well down the pecking order in Unai Emery’s plan.

“So Liverpool could potentially recall him and involve him in Arne Slot’s plans for the second half of the season.”

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Elliott could provide midfield boost in January

Elliott is a creative force but has been lacking in chances under Emery. But he could be just what Liverpool need in January - with the midfield tiring and Mo Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Bringing Elliott back will create a slight issue in the long term however as he is only contracted until 2027. If Villa decline their option to buy him for £35m then his value will no doubt plummet as he approaches the end of his deal.

We could see Liverpool opt to protect their investment with a new deal - or else Elliott could move for a cut price in summer 2026.