Phil Hay: Leeds United could open Jack Harrison crunch talks as £18m bid tabled for winger
Phil Hay expects Leeds United to pursue a new contract for Jack Harrison amid increasing speculation surrounding his future at Elland Road.
Harrison, 25, was vague when asked about his future with the Yorkshire club earlier this week after a pre-season friendly defeat to Aston Villa in Australia.
He’s been strongly linked with Newcastle with Football Insider reporting on Wednesday (20 July) that the Geordies have tabled an insulting £18million bid for the winger.
The Athletic journalist Hay feels that Newcastle do actually value Harrison higher than that while Leeds still want a lot more than what the Magpies feel he’s worth.
But he doesn’t expect Leeds to give in and cash in on the ex-Manchester City player, claiming that this interest could result in the Whites opening talks over a new contract.
Speaking on the latest episode of The Phil Hay Show podcast (21 July, 21m27s), Hay said: “At the moment, it doesn’t seem to me there’s any intent on Leeds’ part to sell him.
“I don’t think the numbers Newcastle are talking about would be tempting for Leeds.
“Newcastle seem to value him at £20million to £25million and Leeds would want considerably more than that.
“Marsch was asked about it last weekend after the comments from Harrison and he said, ‘you have to think carefully about every bid that comes in but, bottom line, he’s a big part of the plans for next season’.”
Hay added: “One of two things are going to have to happen.
“Either he is sold, which Leeds are indicating won’t happen, or they need to get into contract talks with him.
“It wouldn’t be a surprise at all if he does remain and either towards the end of the window or after the window closes, you see talks beginning over extending his deal.”
Crunch talks
It might take some convincing to keep Harrison at Leeds United.
Although he’s been a mainstay of the side for four seasons and is attracting attention from elsewhere, he’s still in the last two years of his contract at Elland Road.
Could he feel as though it’s time to move on? Could he feel as though he might break into the England squad with a move to a team like Newcastle? Could he feel as though his job is going to be made harder at Elland Road due to Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips? Could he feel as though he’ll make more money at Newcastle?
They’re all things that could be on Harrison’s mind with Newcastle bidding to sign him and while that £18million offer is nowhere near his true value, it does show there’s some intent and the Magpies are clearly just testing the waters at this stage.
Harrison is a proper professional and we won’t doubt his work ethic for one moment.
But it won’t be easy for him to stop his head being turned by Newcastle, who you have to admit have a much bigger potential than Leeds do right now.
Let’s see how this develops but if this speculation fizzles out, Leeds need to move in as soon as possible and get a new contract sorted out for the reliable winger.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are ready to sign off on this major new signing but it’s dependent upon one factor.