Jack Harrison set to travel for Aston Villa medical as Leeds United exit to Everton hijacked – Fabrizio Romano
Jack Harrison will now “prepare travel for [a] medical” at Aston Villa ahead of a loan from Leeds United, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The journalist reported via Twitter Sunday (13 August) the 26-year-old had already completed his tests ahead of the same move to Goodison Park to join Everton but has now “decided” to join Villa after a “direct call” from Unai Emery.
The hijack looks to have been completed after both clubs triggered Harrison’s relegation release clause to join the exodus from Elland Road, and the Englishman opting for the late entrant.
The latest first-team exit from Elland Road looked to be settled as Harrison had gone to Merseyside for a loan-to-buy deal, but the destination has apparently now changed.
Drama
From a Leeds United perspective it makes little difference where Harrison goes because ultimately he is another option removed from Daniel Farke’s squad.
It perhaps stings slightly less if he goes to a club who have qualified for Europe but it is a disappointing blow for Whites fans either way.
With Willy Gnonto pushing for an exit to Everton it appeared that Harrison had beaten him to it, but it will apparently now be a Villa move that he goes for instead.
However, given the amount of drama late on in proceedings involving Leeds United recently it is impossible to say with complete certainty that the former Manchester City man ends up in the Midlands until the deal is officially announced.
Harrison in particularly has been subject of extensive drama this year, having travelled to Leicester in January to complete a permanent exit before being called back and subsequently signing a new five-year deal in April.
But after Tyler Adams’ exit to Chelsea broke down at the last and Max Aarons’ incoming deal also fell apart as he left for Bournemouth at the 11th hour, yet another late hijack appears to have been successful.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay was shocked at the Whites squad as he reacted to yet more drama in the final weeks of the transfer window at Elland Road.