MLS sides are working to sign players ahead of the 2026 season, looking far and wide for the best available talent.
One Liverpool star is now a key target for Charlotte FC, who is working on bolstering its squad.
Charlotte FC Looking To Loan in Liverpool Midfielder
Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliot has had a tough season so far, after joining Aston Villa in the summer. The Englishman is looking for a new club, and the MLS could be his next destination.
According to a report in GOAL, Charlotte FC is in talks with Liverpool to sign Elliot this month. They are looking to replicate the same formula they used to sign Wilfried Zaha in January 2025 after his failed loan spell at Galatasaray.
Elliot joined Aston Villa in the summer, but the Premier League side has not used him in the league since September. The Villa Park side has an obligation to sign the Liverpool midfielder for $47 million if he plays 10 Premier League matches in the season.
Villa manager Unai Emery has made it clear that they are forced to keep the Englishman out as they do not see the value in signing him. They made the call two months ago and are open to letting him go back to Anfield. He said:
“The problem we have with Harvey is this year he is on loan and in case he is playing matches, we must buy him. We decided two months ago we are not convinced to sign him, spending the money we need. I am respecting him all we can because he’s a very good professional, very respectful but the situation we have is something.
“He is training every day, very good with us to help us in training and of course it is not good for him or good for us. But it is football and sometimes we must take decisions that are not good for us.”
Arne Slot’s side also has no plans to keep Elliot at the club, despite their poor start to the season and the lack of backup for Mohamed Salah. They are open to loaning him out once again, and former Aston Villa manager Dean Smith is open to taking him at Charlotte FC, which is valued at $705 million by Forbes.
Since Elliot has already played for Liverpool and Aston Villa this season, he cannot join any other side that is already playing in the 2025-26 season. However, he is eligible to play for any MLS side as they will be starting their new season, and it does not count as a third club in the current season.
