Jack Harrison has completed a move that seems him re-sign for Everton loan from Leeds United for a second successive season, having caught the eye over the last 12 months at Goodison Park.
The 27-year-old was one of eight Leeds players to exit on loan last summer using Victor Orta’s relegation loan clause. He and Luis Sinisterra returned to the Premier League with Everton and Bournemouth.
Since then, Robin Koch and Sinisterra have left to join their loan clubs permanently. Marc Roca is close to signing for Real Betis on a permanent basis, while Brenden Aaronson has returned ahead of next season.
The future of Diego Llorente, Max Wober and Rasmus Kristensen remains up in the air but Harrison is now set to return to Everton on a season-long loan after having a hand in seven goals in 35 games last season.
Is there a permanent clause in Harrison’s second Everton loan?
Harrison was one of two players from the previous eight that left on loan that could re-use the relegation clause. It comes after the clause was inserted into a contract he signed in April, which lasts until 2028.
While Wober, Aaronson, Llorente and Kristensen cannot use the loan again, Harrison and Roca were able to. However, Betis have chosen to sign Roca permanently for a fee believed to be in the region of £4.25m.
Is there a permanent clause this time around in Harrison’s deal? Reports regarding his last loan said that there was a buyout option worth £20m to sign Harrison, but Graham Smyth has an update in the YEP.
He says that the loan deal to take the England U21 international back to Merseyside does not include a permanent option. That means in a year’s time, Everton will have to make another decision on Harrison.
There is still a world where Harrison could return at Leeds
Signing that contract in April was bizarre but what it does mean is that the winger is contracted to Leeds for another four years. It meant he could go on loan like he has done, but he remains a Leeds player.
If Leeds get promoted next season, and Harrison fails to do enough to earn a permanent move to Everton or the Toffees are relegated then there is scope for the winger to return as a Leeds player in 2025-26.