Everton’s sporting director Kevin Thelwell has confirmed the plans that the Merseyside club have put in place regarding a permanent deal for Leeds United winger Jack Harrison.
Harrison, 27, was one of eight senior players to use Victor Orta’s relegation loan clause last summer. It saw a handful of first-team stars jump ship without Leeds being able to stop them from leaving the club.
Robin Koch and Luis Sinisterra have since agreed permanent exits to Frankfurt and Bournemouth after loans. Diego Llorente, Rasmus Kristensen, Marc Roca, Max Wober and Brenden Aaronson are also on loan.
The 49ers are confident that Harrison, Wober, Roca and Llorente have done enough to secure permanent exits from Elland Road this summer and raise some cash to give Daniel Farke some money to spend.
Harrison only had a hand in seven goals in 35 games for Sean Dyche’s side but has been ever-present after an early injury, and his work rate has not gone unnoticed among the Everton faithful on Merseyside.
Everton are keen to keep the “underrated” winger but the club’s finances could mean a deal is placed in limbo. Sporting director Thelwell has now conveyed Everton’s plans for Harrison on the club’s website.
Everton chief shares plans over deal for Leeds man Harrison
Leeds and Harrison agreed a new contract shortly after the winger’s move to Leicester City fell through. It put Leeds in a strong bargaining positioning regarding Harrison’s future, and the fee Leeds could charge.
Reports claim there is a £20m buyout clause in Harrison’s loan move to Goodison Park. Thelwell has now said that Everton are planning to have a conversation with Leeds over a permanent deal for the winger.
“We also thank Arnaut [Danjuma] and Jack for their roles in the progress made under Sean and his coaching staff. We will continue discussions with Leeds regarding Jack’s future in the coming weeks.”
What Phil Hay has said about Harrison’s future at Leeds
Promotion to the Premier League or remaining in the Championship will determine what kind of summer Leeds will have. If it is the latter, The 49ers will be forced into selling a number of assets to raise cash.
But for Harrison, it is likely that he will be sold regardless of whatever division Leeds find themselves in. Hay recently said that his “gut feeling” is that the English winger will be sold at the end of the season.
“Everton would be keen to keep Jack Harrison. Other mid-table Premier League clubs would probably take Harrison as well, so my gut feeling is he will go and they will pull in money from that one.”