Transfer deadline day is here and for Leeds United fans the day will be focused around the future of Jack Harrison. The winger is attracting strong interest from Whites’ Premier League rivals Leicester City, who reportedly placed a bid for him over the weekend.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Foxes are still pushing to sign Harrison and it would seem as though Leeds could have a decision to make one way or another before this evening’s 11pm deadline. Jesse Marsch spoke on Saturday about the 26-year-old, underlining his desire to keep the former Manchester City man at the club before insisting he wasn’t itching to leave the club this month.
However, the deal might just be seen as one that makes sense for the club moving forward. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of letting Harrison leave Elland Road today.
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Why Leeds should keep Harrison
Leeds fans probably didn’t need a reminder of what Harrison can do when he’s firing on all cylinders, but his effort against Accrington Stanley on Saturday certainly gave them one. Head over the ball, Harrison drilled his effort beyond the outstretched Toby Savin to give the Whites the lead at the Wham Stadium.
He was arguably the best player on the park in Lancashire and as he came off the field, Marsch took the opportunity to underline his worth with a bear hug on the touchline. Harrison is a key member of the squad at Elland Road and if he were to say, he may well have a big say on the club’s fate as they battle against the drop for the second year running.
His versatility makes him an asset, given he can find a home in most systems Marsch deploys and his work rate and ability on the ball makes him a constant threat. Leeds have been keen to tie him down for the remainder of his peak years and if they were to stave off the interest from the King Power Stadium today it would be a huge statement of intent moving forward.
Harrison would be in line for a bump in pay with any new contract, no doubt, and that would be a fitting rewards for several years of good service at Elland Road, where he remains a favourite with the crowd.
Leeds may be willing to dig their heels in to prevent Harrison leaving to join a side that can only be described as a relegation rival, too. Brenden Rodgers’ side are level on points with United in the table, having played a game more and as January comes to an end, they are involved in a battle against the drop.
The signing of Harrison, in addition to Lyon winger Tete, only increases their chances of survival over the second half of the season and Leeds would loath to give a rival a leg up by doing business. Instead, Marsch will be keen to see Harrison continue to make an impact at Elland Road over the next few months and be part of the club’s pack of attacking players.
There are players with more experience than the 26-year-old, but he has helped Leeds out of the mire once before and he could have another important role to play moving forward.
Why Leeds might let Harrison go
While Harrison has performed well over the last couple of weeks, it’s fair to say the winger is no longer guaranteed a spot in Marsch’s starting XI. His form took a notable dip before the World Cup due to a couple of injuries he was carrying and others have stepped up to the plate.
In fact, it’s been some time since Harrison has performed consistently at his best and his struggles this season may be taken into account by the Whites as they mull over Leicester’s offer. That’s without mentioning the embarrassment of attacking riches Leeds currently have at their disposal.
Wilfried Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville have burst onto the scene with their performances but the Whites have just broken their transfer record to sign Georginio Rutter who will likely be used as an inside forward, coming in from a wide position, while Luis Sinisterra is also fit and eager to show Leeds supporters his best.
Brenden Aaronson can play in a wide position if needed, too. Harrison was most recently seen on the left side of a midfield three, but Weston McKennie’s signing seems to plug that gap.
As such, the winger probably isn’t seen as being as indispensable as he was once was at Elland Road and Leeds wouldn’t be desperate to step into the market and find an immediate replacement for him before the 11pm deadline. As such, the club could be tempted to do business today, if an acceptable bid were to land.
It could boil down to money, then, and how much Leicester are prepared to pay for the former England under-21 international. Anthony Gordon, who admittedly is much younger than Harrison, has just moved from Everton to Newcastle United for a fee potentially rising to £45m and Leeds have every right to use that deal as a measuring stick when it comes to determining a price.
Harrison is in the final 18 months of his contract which may have an impact on the numbers, but it might also be the club’s last chance to demand a significant fee for him, depending on how contract discussions have progressed. If reports are to be believed, though, 20 per cent of the profit received for Harrison would go to Man City, who inserted a sell-on clause in the deal when he moved permanently from the Etihad Stadium in July 2021.
It’s a tough call either way and as the day progresses and the deals flood in, it’s one to watch with interest.
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