Leeds United winger Jack Harrison is enjoying his loan at Everton despite the points deduction this week, and the Toffees will be hoping he’s there beyond 23/24.
Leeds’ relegation from the Premier League in May brought a summer window like no other as loan release clauses emerged in the players’ contracts, causing a mass exodus beyond Leeds’ control and without any money coming in.
Beneficiaries of that were the side that stayed up at Leeds’ expense on the final day, Everton, as they signed Jack Harrison on loan in August.
Jack Harrison’s loan: What’s the latest?
Phil Hay has shared an update on Harrison’s loan deal at Goodison Park, where a few scenarios can play out in the summer of 2024.
What is clear is that Leeds need to get promoted in order to hold any power in his future:
“The Athletic has been told that if Leeds fail to go straight back up this season, the terms of Harrison’s contract could allow him to go out on loan again next summer. His move to Everton is a straight loan, with no option to buy, but he has settled well.”
What does this mean for Leeds?
If Leeds are promoted back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, then it’s great news regarding their power in this transfer saga.
Would you welcome any of the loan players back?
Yes
No
Everton have no buy option so the asking price would be whatever Leeds see fit, hopefully high after what promises to be a solid season for Harrison at Everton despite their points deduction on Friday.
Should Leeds stay in the Championship for a second season under Daniel Farke, though, Harrison would be free to return to Merseyside on loan for another season.
Angus Kinnear’s Square Ball interview has hopefully dispelled the idea that Harrison might not be the only one to contain such a clause in his loan contract, but it would be a really tricky situation for Leeds if they are forced to sanction a second loan for the winger.
He looks like Leeds’ best chance of getting £20million-plus in 2024, alongside Luis Sinisterra, and having that taken away would be a hammer blow.
A knock-on effect of this for Leeds in 2024 would be that Harrison not being a saleable asset means others might have to fill that gap, if the 49ers are in a position where they need to cash in on players to raise funds – and you immediately look at Georginio Rutter, Ethan Ampadu, Crysencio Summerville and the like.
Harrison is an honest player with quite a bit of ability but he goes missing for long periods of games, Everton will be probably be in League one where they belong next season so perhaps we could loan/sell him to a Fulham or a Forrest type team, either way he is not good enough for Leeds.