Aston Villa complete deadline-day deals for Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho
Elliott arrives on loan with obligation to buy while Sancho joins on a wage-focused loan from Manchester United
Aston Villa signed Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott and Manchester United forward Jadon Sancho on loan deals on transfer deadline day, with Elliott's move including an obligation to buy, the club confirmed.
The package for Elliott, 22, is understood to be worth around £35 million and includes sell-on and buy-back clauses for Liverpool. Villa beat competition from RB Leipzig for Elliott's signature; the England Under-21 international had rejected interest from West Ham and Fulham earlier in the summer. Liverpool viewed the buy-back clause as essential given Elliott's potential and the belief that regular first-team football would aid his development.

Sancho, 25, joined Villa on a loan from Manchester United after previously turning down a move to Roma earlier in the window, according to reports. There was also reported interest from Juventus. Villa are guaranteed to pay 80% of Sancho's wages above £200,000 a week, and sources indicated the loan fee and readily achievable bonuses mean Manchester United expect to have their full wage bill effectively covered.
Both moves were completed on transfer deadline day as Villa sought to bolster their squad. Earlier in the day the club also signed former United defender Victor Lindelof on a two-year contract.
Club statements and reporting framed the deadline activity as proactive recruitment rather than last-minute panic. According to BBC Sport coverage, Villa described the business as "good business rather than late business." The additions provide Villa with greater depth in midfield and on the wings as they pursue their season objectives.
Elliott arrives with a profile of a young creative midfielder who has been capped at England Under-21 level and who has featured sporadically for Liverpool's first team. The financial structure of his move — a loan with an obligation to buy and protective clauses for his former club — reflects Liverpool's reported assessment of his long-term value and Villa's willingness to invest for immediate contribution.
Sancho's loan represents a fresh opportunity for the forward to re-establish himself after an uneven spell at Manchester United. The salary-sharing arrangement reduces Villa's long-term financial exposure while allowing them to add a player with Premier League and international experience.
The flurry of activity underlines Villa's intent to strengthen across several positions before the window closed. The club completed defensive reinforcement, midfield creativity and attacking options through the deadline signings, aiming to position the squad for the demands of the campaign ahead.
Further details on the duration of Sancho's loan and the precise triggers for Elliott's obligation to buy have not been disclosed by the clubs. Representatives from Liverpool, Manchester United and Aston Villa did not immediately provide further comment beyond the clubs' announcements.