Arne Slot ‘not keen’ to have Harvey Elliott back at Liverpool as transfer edges closer
Harvey Elliott should move to the MLS in order to get regular game time following a disastrous loan spell at Aston Villa.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, amid Elliott closing in on a transfer to the MLS.
Elliott is expected to leave Aston Villa in January and return to his parent club Liverpool, having made just five appearances under Unai Emery.
Liverpool have been left fuming at Aston Villa’s treatment of Elliott, and the 22-year-old has already played for both clubs this season, ruling out another loan move in the Premier League or Europe.
Harvey Ellliott could feel ‘benefits’ from MLS transfer
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Elliott could work under former Aston Villa boss Dean Smith at Charlotte FC.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks Elliott needs to take any opportunity he can to play for the remainder of the season.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Yes, it’s an elegant solution to the whole thing. Liverpool have been very tight-lipped about him coming back there and that’s the only other club he could play for.
“I thought Arne Slot would have wanted him back. It does seem that he’s not that keen, or if there is, there’s been no signals to that effect. The MLS, I think Harvey Elliott would be one of the superstars in the MLS, certainly at his age, going there right now and the benefits of that in North America can be quite lucrative, and I think certainly it’s going to be an easier league for him and I think he’ll shine.
“I think he’s a quality player. Charlotte finished fourth in the league this year. It would be a good move for him if he’s playing regular football rather than sitting on the bench at Liverpool, that’s for sure. So I think it’s better for him to be out there, even though it’s the MLS, I think it might be better for him to do that.
“And it seems to be the only option because of the regulations around the start of the season, that he only play on loan for two clubs, and the same sort of seasonal time. So it’s an elegant solution. Dean Smith, manager at Charlotte, obviously knows Harvey Elliott from his time and would be a great manager for Harvey to work with.
“I think he’d get a move back at some stage as well, because now the MLS is being scouted and watched a lot more than before, and I think with a decent team like and with a decent manager like Dean Smith. I think it would probably be the right move for him, so I call it an elegant solution and I think he should go for it if he can.”
Arne Slot sack update at Liverpool
Elliott’s fortunes at Liverpool could change if the club decide to sack manager Arne Slot, who is still under pressure on Merseyside.
Liverpool could sack Slot this season, though his future is not in immediate danger as the Reds are on a nine-game unbeaten streak.
Slot’s side though have dropped points against Leeds, Sunderland and Fulham recently, in a dent to their top four hopes.