Valencia could hold talks with Liverpool to send Harvey Elliott back to Anfield in the January transfer window.
It seems the Spanish side have made the decision to cut the loan spell short as early as possible. It’s been a frustrating few months for both parties.
Elliott headed to the Spanish club in the summer after spending last season out of the picture while on loan at Aston Villa.
The clear hope was that he could revive his career at the Mestalla. He’s had a difficult few years in which he’s gone from once highly rated youngster to near obscurity.
Instead, the loan deal has proven to be something of a disaster.
Talks will be held
Sport Witness reported earlier this year how Valencia had been forced to put the Liverpool loanee on a special fitness regime after he arrived at the club overweight.
So far this season, the midfielder has only managed six appearances in La Liga, worth just 152 minutes. And it seems that’s enough for Valencia to make a choice.
Las Provincias report that that ‘issues with excess weight’ and a lack of professionalism led him to Valencia in the first place.
Now he’s yet to start a match, and against Villarreal he effectively sabotaged his team by getting sent off. He even offered an apology for that when he scored a free kick in the Copa del Rey against Tavernes.
The newspaper reports that if he does not improve in the coming weeks, the loan agreement with Liverpool could be terminated. They state that ‘talks will be held’.
DoF with issue to fix
New sporting director Braulio Vázquez is certainly taking a look at the situation. The midfielder is one of the issues from the previous management that he inherited and has to resolve.
The Liverpool loanee is one of four signings from the summer that has come under fire from Valencia fans. And they are strong candidates to leave the club just months after arriving.
Elliott was supposed to be a marquee signing but is far from that level. His time at the club has been ‘more disappointing than promising’ up to now. Even his performance in the cup should be taken with a grain of salt.
If his level of play doesn’t improve by January, the club may consider terminating the loan and sending him back to Liverpool. That would allow them to reallocate the wages they’re spending.
The Valencia squad has needs elsewhere. And it seems the feeling is that money van be better spent toward a player who can contribute in areas where the team needs them.
