Jack Harrison’s future at Leeds United has been decided, with loan team Everton strongly vying for his services. Two other contracts, this one with Championship rivals Middlesbrough, will also soon be up for discussion.
After being relegated last summer, the Whites were forced to rebuild their team, as many of their big-name players left Elland Road. Even though players like Tyler Adams, Luis Sinisterra (following an initial loan), and Rodrigo Moreno have all signed permanent contracts, eight more have taken advantage of clauses in their agreements to leave on a temporary basis.
Leeds, who are in a thrilling battle for promotion from the Championship, are fortunate that their rebuild has gone perfectly. If they defeat Millwall on Sunday and win their 12th straight league game since the start of the season, they will take the top spot in the standings.
Leeds has their sights set firmly on the championship, so they will soon need to make some behind-the-scenes decisions regarding the composition of their team for the upcoming campaign.
The whereabouts and future plans of the players who defected from Leeds and went on loan last summer will also be a major topic of discussion.
To that end, we revealed this week that manager Daniel Farke was prepared to approve the departure of players valued at £47 million when the summer transfer window opened.
When Harrison left the team in the middle of August to join Everton on a season-long loan, it caused some controversy at the time.
Leeds make decision on Jack Harrison future
After relocating to the Toffees, they are rumoured to have worked out a deal that will enable them to stay there permanently the following summer, reportedly for a sum of money of about £20 million.
There are many moving parts to that deal, though, including Leeds’ standing in the league after the 2019–20 season, Everton’s capacity to finance the transaction, and the player’s personal decisions.
Though Harrison has expressed a desire to remain at Goodison Park, it is now rumoured that the Whites have told Harrison he is free to leave Elland Road permanently this summer, with Leeds willing to sell him. Leeds is well-served on the wings thanks to the excellent play of Crysencio Summerville, Willy Gnonto, and Dan James.
This places Everton in a strong position to sign him permanently, though other teams may still make offers.
Currently, the 27-year-old has made 29 appearances for the Toffees, tallying three assists and four goals.
Harrison recently stated, “So far, it’s been great,” when speaking about his future. I’ve played in various positions and with various styles.
“The team has embraced me with great warmth, and I couldn’t have asked for more. Behind the scenes, the coaching staff and performance team also assisted me in recovering from my injury and positioned myself well physically on the pitch.
“Being a part of it has been great, and I’m really happy.”
Harrison signed an Elland Road contract in February of last year, and it expires in the summer of 2028.
Boro future talks over Luke Ayling and Sam Greenwood
Luke Ayling and Sam Greenwood, who both left Elland Road for Middlesbrough, are two more Leeds players on loan.
With the latter’s signing last summer, the Teessiders acquired the option to make the move permanent for a potential £1.5 million.
Ayling, on the other hand, moved to the Riverside in January, and it looks like he has played his final game for the Whites as his contract at Elland Road expires at the end of the current campaign.
In fact, Leeds will not extend a new contract to the thirty-two-year-old, and Ayling—who has become a fan favourite for Boro—has also expressed a desire to extend his stay.
Speaking about his future, Boro manager Michael Carrick is clearly pleased with what he sees.
Regarding Ayling, Carrick remarked, “You’re always playing for something and as it stands at the moment that’s obviously what’s next.”
By the look on his face, that’s the last thing on his mind. He’s all in; he wants to win games for us and do well.
“We’ll see, that will unfold over the course of the next few months.”
The man, known by his nickname Bill, has started the last 11 Boro games, and Carrick has been pleased with his performance off the field as well.
“He’s quite commanding around the dressing room, and he’s a solid character with that personality that rubs off on others,” Carrick continued.
“Having that balance is crucial. That’s not possible for everyone, but you need some boys to be like that. He has been heavily involved in it.
Carrick giving little away on Sam Greenwood future
“I think Bill has really shown his experience,” Carrick continued. He has experienced this firsthand and is aware of what it takes.
“He has a contagious personality and character, which the older boys on the team have demonstrated and utilised in the past few games. When you’re going through something like this and the stages you completed at the end of the season, that’s crucial.
If utilised properly, experience can be a wonderful thing. Without a doubt, Luke is doing that right now.
Carrick, though, was holding his cards close to his chest regarding Greenwood’s future.
“I shouldn’t be bothering Sam about that right now. It’s all about the games,” he remarked.
As I mentioned earlier, things will sort themselves out in due course with Jonny Howson and one or two other people. With contracts and transfers of this nature, timing is crucial. The appropriate moment will come for things to be resolved.
Since moving from Elland Road, Greenwood, a childhood Sunderland supporter, has made thirty appearances for Middlesbrough, scoring five goals and dishing out three assists.
