Leeds United ended deadline day with the one notable outgoing having been that of centre-back Diego Llorente, with the skilled Spaniard becoming a member of Roma on an preliminary loan deal, only a matter of weeks after signing a new contract extension.
The Whites have been, nonetheless, in a position to come out of the January window fairly unscathed with regard to retaining maintain of their key figures, with sporting director Victor Orta having seemingly prevented a late catastrophe by refusing to sanction the sale of ahead, Jack Harrison.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed final week that the Yorkshire aspect had obtained a proposal of round £20m for the Englishman from Premier League rivals Leicester City, with Orta and co having been contemplating whether or not to green-light an exit, or to reward the 26-year-old with a brand new deal and hold him at Elland Highway.
The Daily Mail then reported that the transfer was ‘delicately poised’ heading into deadline day, with the previous New York Metropolis man – who has simply 18 months to run on his current contract – stated to be unsure in regards to the prospect of becoming a member of one other aspect who’re scrapping for surviving.
Because it proved, Tuesday got here and went with the one-time Manchester City ace nonetheless on the membership, with that decision seemingly an actual blessing so far as Jesse Marsch’s aspect are involved, such is the vital function that Harrison can go on to play within the second half of the marketing campaign.
Ought to Leeds have offered Jack Harrison?
Sure!
No, completely not!
The £50k-per-week man – who was beforehand described as a “revelation” within the MLS by former teammate Frank Lampard – has confirmed himself an actual attacking weapon for Leeds over the previous few seasons, having racked up 59 objectives and assists in 186 video games so far throughout all fronts.
That features a haul of two objectives and 7 assists in all competitions thus far this season in 20 outings, whereas the Stoke-born dynamo was additionally important in serving to the membership stave off the drop final time period, after scoring eight objectives in 35 league video games.
The 5 foot 9 ace notably netted an important last-minute winner in opposition to Brentford on the ultimate day of the 2021/22 marketing campaign to make sure the membership’s survival within the high tier, having frequently delivered the products from the flanks throughout his stint at Elland Highway.
As such, it was little question one thing of a blessing that the extensive man didn’t seal a late transfer to the Foxes, with Orta having doubtlessly come near gifting Brendan Rodgers’ aspect arguably “one of the best wingers in the Premier League“, as described by ex-Everton boss, Lampard.
A participant who’s undoubtedly dedicated to the trigger – as showcased by the truth that he ranks within the top 8% for each blocks and tackles made amongst his European friends – Harrison is solely a participant whom Marsch couldn’t afford to let go.