Jack Harrison: Leeds United exit prediction amid expected Everton interest – Phil Hay
Jack Harrison is likely to be signed by a Premier League club and not return to Leeds United again, according to Phil Hay.
The Athletic journalist told The Square Ball on 9 February that he expects Everton to want to keep the on-loan winger just as Bournemouth have done with Luis Sinisterra, and that even if they prove unable to do so there would probably a top-flight alternative who would step in.
The Colombian winger has now made his Cherries move permanent for £20million, while Harrison has become a regular under Sean Dyche at Goodison Park.
Hay said of Sinisterra’s move (8m 50s): “This was a fairly easy one to deal with because Bournemouth were very keen to keep Sinisterra, in the same way that I think Everton would be very keen to keep Jack Harrison, but obviously not if they go down, that won’t happen.
“But I think you’ll probably find other mid-table Premier League clubs who would take Harrison as well, so my gut feeling is he’ll go and they’ll pull in money from that one.”
Harrison tipped for Leeds United exit amid Everton exploits
It is entirely logical that Dyche would be hoping to keep Harrison at Goodison Park, but amid their financial concerns and points deducted it remains to be seen whether they would be in a position to get a deal done.
Of all the players currently out on loan he is perhaps the one who has the best Premier League CV and would therefore be the greatest asset to return if Daniel Farke gets this side promoted.
As well as being one of the stronger performers last season, particularly at the start and end of the campaign, he was also bizarrely sent to Leicester in the January transfer window and came within hours of being sold before getting called back to Elland Road at the death.
So how much he would want to return is perhaps open to question, especially since becoming a central part of an embattled Toffees side.
Having started the past 16 Premier League games in succession at Everton since returning from injury, scoring three and assisting three more, he has likely done enough to generate interest elsewhere if he is available.
The likes of Crysencio Summerville, Dan James and Willy Gnonto have made Harrison’s, as with Sinisterra’s, absence less of an issue this term, and given the team has been strong there might be a view among the Elland Road hierarchy that selling all the loanees and supplementing the current side with a few new additions is the healthiest way to go, but it will all be moot if they don’t make it back to the top flight.
In other Leeds United news, a pundit has been left stunned by an unexpected development at Elland Road.
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