Leeds United transfer news: Cut-price Jack Harrison exit on the cards amid Everton talks
Leeds United are in talks with Everton over a deal to sell winger Jack Harrison this summer along with Willy Gnonto, Football Transfers reports.
The Whites face a variety of departures from Elland Road during this window after failing to avoid relegation, but it is the club that came out on top in the battle against the drop who looks set to benefit.
The Toffees were subject of a reported legal threat from the clubs who were at risk of going down, according to the Daily Mail on 16 May, with the three who ultimately failed to escape danger supposedly lining up to sue for £100million each over the alleged, and disputed, FFP breach at Goodison Park.
But according to Football Transfers the two sides are now in “ongoing talks” over their two attackers, with Harrison reportedly “open” to the Merseyside move as he has family in the North West.
Additionally, Harrison can reportedly leave for just £16million via an exit clause in his contract.
The Englishman was a target for Newcastle last summer at a time when the Whites were demanding north of £40million [Telegraph, 22 October].
Bargain
Leeds United can hardly afford to be choosers if there is cash on the table for a player who is widely expected to leave after relegation.
But if it is Everton where he is to move it would be a surprise when the Elland Road hierarchy was reportedly so incensed by the financial situation at Goodison Park they were prepared to threaten legal action.
The senior figures at Leeds United have changed with the 49ers takeover from Andrea Radrizzani, but Angus Kinnear remains key and expected new chairman Paraag Marathe has been involved for months already, so perhaps that threat was never likely to be realised.
Losing Harrison in itself is little surprise, and while his reported knock-down price isn’t anywhere near as the supposed free transfer option for Robin Koch and the apparently-tiny £3million fee for Rodrigo, it isn’t going to leave fans overjoyed if he is ultimately going to leave for less than half the club wanted a year ago.
It is significantly less than the £22million move to Leicester he came within ours of making in the January transfer window [Telegraph, 6 April], at a time when his contract was running down prior to the announcement of the new five-year deal on 6 April.
That new deal appears to have contained a clause that meant it was imperative for Leeds United to stay up to take full advantage, and as they failed to do that it could now be Everton’s gain.
If they pick him up for that price they will have pulled off a significant coup, although the fact that talks are “ongoing” might suggest they are hoping to reduce the fee even further.
In other Leeds United news, the club have now got a free run at one of their manager candidates after confirmed news on Friday.