Aston Villa eye ex-Chelsea star with Liverpool loanee left in limbo

Aston Villa are reportedly “exploring” a deal to sign Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid, but the deal hinges on finding a solution to Liverpool loanee Harvey Elliott’s situation.

The midfielder’s career is in total stasis at the moment as the Villans have no intention of meeting the £35 million obligation to turn his loan move into a permanent one.

Unai Emery has started the 22-year-old just once in the Premier League this season, preferring to start Emi Buendia over him.

Villa would clearly prefer to move on from the player, but with no recall clause in the deal, he has been left in limbo.

Aston Villa eye ex-Chelsea star Gallagher as Liverpool loanee Elliott left in limbo

Sky Sports News claim that Villa are “exploring the potential to sign” Gallagher on loan with an option to buy, as a replacement for Elliott.

The report adds that “the future of Harvey Elliot could have a bearing on Villa’s ability to strike a deal for Gallagher”.

The Midlands outfit are “trying to find him a solution to play elsewhere” and make room for Gallagher.

Villa have been long-time admirers of Gallagher, but Atletico do not want to loan him out unless there is a permanent aspect to the deal. They want a transfer fee close to what they paid for him in the summer of 2024 when they bought him from Chelsea for £38 million.

The 25-year-old has made 19 appearances in La Liga this season, but only four of them have been from the start.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa Women have signed Jenna Nighswonger on loan from Arsenal until the end of the season.

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