Harvey Elliott is on the verge of joining Valencia on loan for the 2026-27 season, in a move that is expected to take the Liverpool midfielder to Spain after a difficult spell at Aston Villa.
The 23-year-old spent last season with Aston Villa but made only nine appearances under manager Unai Emery, scoring once. Villa had an option to sign Elliott permanently for £35m, with that clause set to become an obligation if he reached an agreed number of appearances.
However, Aston Villa chose not to activate the deal, leaving Elliott’s future uncertain as he returned to Liverpool.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the England midfielder is now close to completing a loan move to LaLiga side Valencia. Valencia are understood to be prepared to cover the majority of Elliott’s salary and see him as an ideal addition for the number 10 position.
The proposed move would give Elliott the opportunity to continue his career away from Anfield after a season in which he struggled to secure regular first-team football at Aston Villa. Despite that limited involvement last term, he featured prominently for Liverpool during pre-season, appearing in five matches.
His involvement in those fixtures had suggested he could still have a role to play at Liverpool, but the club are now expected to allow him to leave on a temporary basis.
Elliott’s Liverpool contract is due to expire at the end of the season. As a result, the loan switch to Valencia is likely to mark the end of his time with the club and could mean he has already played his final match for Liverpool.
Valencia’s interest is centred on Elliott’s suitability to operate as a number 10, with the Spanish club reportedly viewing him as the right player to strengthen that area of the team. The agreement would also provide Liverpool with a way to move on a player whose long-term future at the club has become increasingly uncertain.
Elliott’s season at Aston Villa ended without the permanent transfer that had been possible under the terms of his loan. The £35m purchase option was not taken up, even though it would have converted into an obligation once the relevant appearance threshold had been reached.
That decision paved the way for a fresh move this summer, and Valencia now appear set to provide Elliott with his next destination. The loan would run throughout the 2026-27 season, with the Spanish club taking on most of his wages while assessing how he fits into their plans.
For Liverpool, the arrangement would bring clarity to Elliott’s situation before his contract expires. For the player, it offers a chance to regain regular football in LaLiga after making just nine appearances for Aston Villa last season.