Leeds have to push for January signing after what Daniel Farke said about Jack Harrison exit
Jack Harrison’s loan move to Fiorentina has left Leeds searching for additional depth in their squad.
Harrison was linked with a Leeds exit after a disappointing start to the season, and he quickly fell down the pecking order.
The 29-year-old started just one Premier League game in 2025-26, and it’s clear he wasn’t going to get the game time he was desperate for in LS11.
Harrison joined Fiorentina on loan for the rest of the season on 19 January, and the Italian side has the option to buy him for £6million.
Leeds now look light on options at left wing-back, and Daniel Farke made it clear that he didn’t want to let him leave.
Leeds have to sign Jayden Oosterwolde for added depth in defence
In his press conference on 22 January, Farke spoke about Harrison’s departure and how Leeds may need to sign a replacement.
Adam Pope reported that the head coach wanted Harrison to stay at Elland Road, but the winger pushed for his move to Italy.
His exit now gives Leeds the possibility of signing a replacement as cover for Gabriel Gudmundsson, and Jayden Oosterwolde is the perfect candidate.
| Stat | Oosterwolde |
| Appearances | 16 |
| Ground duels won | 57.6% |
| Aerial duels won | 52.6% |
| Tackles | 25 |
| Recoveries | 56 |
Leeds are interested in signing Oosterwolde, a left-footed defender who plays for Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
According to A SPOR, Fenerbahce have set Oosterwolde’s price tag at £21.7m.
Crystal Palace, West Ham, and Nottingham Forest have also expressed interest in the 24-year-old defender, and Leeds need to move quickly if they want to secure his services.
Gudmundsson missed training on Thursday due to an adductor problem, and he is a doubt for Monday’s game against Everton.
The Whites are clearly light on numbers in the left wing-back position, and Oosterwolde not only cover that area, but he can also play as a centre-back.
Jaka Bijol injury throws Leeds into further chaos
Traditionally, the Dutch defender plays at the heart of the defence, although his speed would allow him to fill in for Gudmundsson.
However, Jaka Bijol’s hamstring injury could leave him unavailable for three weeks, and the Peacocks could do with Oosterwolde’s versatility at centre-back.
Daniel Farke could also lose Sebastiaan Bornauw in January, leaving him with just four natural centre-backs in the squad, but that looks highly unlikely now.
Leeds have been linked with Danilho Doekhi, although the Union Berlin defender would likely join in the summer once his contract runs out.
It seems unthinkable that Harrison’s departure could lead to this chain of events, but Oosterwolde is perhaps the only man that Leeds can buy who would leave Farke with sufficient cover for the rest of the campaign.
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