George Overhill

Sun 2 July 2023 9:10, UK

Jack Harrison has been tipped to leave Leeds United for former relegation rivals Everton during the transfer window by journalist Ryan Taylor.

Football Transfers reported on 18 June that the Englishman was already subject of talks between the two sides over a deal, with the 26-year-old thought to be open to moving close to family in the area.

Harrison is one of a number of first-team players who are expected to leave following relegation, but while there appear to be a slate of loan-exit clauses in contracts [Daily Mail, 26 June] the former Manchester City man is thought to be available for a £16million cut-price fee according to Football Transfers, and Taylor believes it makes sense for the Toffees.

The Express journalist told GIVEMESPORT of the Leeds United ace’s suitability for a move to Merseyside: “I do think so. If I’m Everton, I want to have more goals in my team. I think that’s been their biggest issue.

“I know they had the 5-1 win at Brighton, which was incredible, but a lot of their wins last season were 1-0 and gritty. They need to be scoring more.

“Under Roberto Martinez, when Everton finished fifth, they were a free-scoring team that used to score threes and fours at Goodison every other week.

“I think the goals need to come back and Harrison is a player that can bring goals to the party from wide areas.”

Shame

At the beginning and the end of the relegation campaign Harrison was one of the key men at Elland Road so it will be a big blow to lose him from the squad.

But he has proven capable of being a Premier League player and at his age he is unlikely to be interested in a season outside the top flight.

If Everton can afford the release clause then they so far appear to be the ones making the move to snap him up, with the possibility that a fee might be agreed for lower than the reported £16m clause.

Sean Dyche’s side are also thought to be looking at the likes of Willy Gnonto [Gazzetta dello Sport, 27 June] and Crysencio Summerville [Telegraph, 20 June] among others, and if all three were to go there, or elsewhere, it would leave a dearth of wide options at Elland Road for presumed incoming boss Daniel Farke.

The two youngsters are probably more realistic possibilities to stay given their age, but with interest mounting it could be a position that requires extensive incoming activity before the end of the window.

Harrison scored 21 Premier League goals for the Whites since the return to the top flight three years ago so would certainly represent an attractive option to chip in from out wide for the likes of Everton, but will leave significant output that needs replacing in West Yorkshire.

In other Leeds United news, three more appointments are now expected to follow the imminent arrival of Farke at Elland Road.