It is now just a matter of weeks until those who left on loan in the summer are back at Leeds United once again.
Jack Harrison, Brenden Aaronson, Max Wober, Marc Roca, Robin Koch, Diego Llorente, Rasmus Kristsensen and Luis Sinisterra all departed Elland Road temporarily after the club’s relegation to the Championship.
However, with the season now approaching its final stages, decisions will need to be taken on what Leeds actually want to do with those out on loan, particularly if they return to the Premier League.
So far, Koch and Sinisterra are the only ones who have been able to secure a permanent exit elsewhere. Llorente also looks likely to follow, but for many others, their future is uncertain.
Both Real Betis and Borussia Monchengladbach are keen to sign Roca and Wober respectively, but have financial hurdles they will need to overcome in order to do so. It may actually be beneficial to them if Leeds fail to get promoted.
Everton are also in a similar situation with Harrison and could also be switching divisions with Leeds at the end of the season, which would make things even more awkward. For Aaronson and Kristensen, though, permanent moves look highly unlikely.
Leeds are reportedly unwilling to welcome any of them back into the fold next season, but that will be easier said than done if there is no interest.
27-year-old’s hopes of permanent move reducing after unused sub role last night
For many who left Leeds on loan, they have not really had the season they will have been hoping for, and one who falls under that category is Harrison.
Everton have endured plenty of struggles both on and off the pitch this season and clearly Harrison is someone who has been negatively impacted by that.
The 27-year-old’s performances were never consistent across the entire time he was at Leeds, and it has been a similar tale at Goodison Park.
He has scored just three goals and provided three assists in 23 appearances this season, with his last contribution coming two months ago against Tottenham.
Everton have not actually won in the league since mid-December and Harrison’s poor form has been a contributing factor to that, as he was an unused substitute in last night’s draw at Newcastle United.
There had been reports earlier in the season of Sean Dyche’s interest in keeping Harrison, but after losing his place completely last night, Leeds’ hopes of selling him are looking bleak.
Farke comments on Sinisterra a sign Harrison won’t be welcome back
Upon the completion of Sinisterra’s permanent move to Bournemouth last month, Farke explained exactly why Leeds opted to sell him.
He said metaphorically that food never tastes as good after it has been re-heated in the microwave, which was effectively a hint that he did not want to welcome Sinisterra back into the fold.
Given how he was publicly happy to admit that, it really would not be a surprise if he took that same stance with all of Leeds’ loanees, including Harrison.
However, those in the recruitment team behind-the-scenes will need to be hard at work if Leeds are going to be able to Harrison permanently, given how it’s gone for him at Everton.