Nicolo Zaniolo to Leeds United move hit by knock-on from Jack Harrison to Leicester update
Leicester have to “significantly increase” their offer to have a chance of signing Leeds United winger Jack Harrison, according to an update from Mo Ibraham.
Brendan Rodgers wants to sign the 26-year-old and the Foxes made a £20million offer [The Athletic, 28 January] in the final days of the window that was unsuccessful, but Sky Sports had reported earlier on deadline day that the situation remained “fluid” over a possible exit to the King Power.
It appears that is not set to happen, which in turn could rule out a late Whites move to remove Nicolo Zaniolo from his tumultuous situation at Roma in the final hours.
Reporting via Twitter Ibrahim, who is part of Sky Sports Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio’s staff, wrote: “As things stand Jack Harrison will stay at Leeds United. Been told Leicester would have to significantly increase their offer.
“This means Leeds won’t go after Zaniolo. Market has a few hours to go so anything can happen. This is the situation as of now.”
Action over?
It has been a major transfer window from the Whites to this point, and anything can happen in the final hours of deadline day, but this time the club aren’t chasing a deal so it will be up to Leicester to make their move.
Harrison leaving at all is one thing, but leaving to a direct rival in the table will require it to be a deal that makes sense on the terms set at Elland Road.
It may be that come the summer he is worth less than £20million, once his contract is entering its final year, but sometimes that is a sacrifice that has to be made.
Zaniolo is no doubt a talented player but at this stage of a season which is teetering between hopeful and concerning he is surely going to be less of a helpful option than Harrison.
The former Manchester City winger’s form has tailed off significantly since the start of the season, as he carried an injury prior to the World Cup, but he is established at the club and knows what it is like to score important goals in the relegation battle.
But, whether he will get the same opportunities to do that this term when Luis Sinisterra and Crysencio Summerville are both back available, and in light of both Georginio Rutter and Weston McKennie needing to be squeezed into the line up somewhere, is probably doubtful.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have successfully completed a deadline day transfer around new Brexit regulations.