Jack Harrison looks set to bring an end to those long-standing Newcastle rumours with reports suggesting he has agreed a new contract at Premier League rivals Leeds United.
It is no coincidence that, since Javi Gracia replaced Jesse Marsch in the Elland Road dugout, Harrison has been a man transformed. Marsch never really got the best out of the former Manchester City winger but you cannot say the same of his soft-spoken successor.
Harrison produced arguably his finest performance of the entire campaign in March’s 4-2 win at Wolves. Well, until Nottingham Forest arrived in West Yorkshire, that is.
The Stoke-born 26-year-old cancelled out Orel Mangala’s early opener with a well-taken volley on Tuesday night; a constant thorn in Steve Cooper’s side throughout a rather one-sided outing.
And, according to Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett, Harrison has now been rewarded with a new, ‘improved’ deal.
“Jack Harrison has agreed terms on an improved contract with Leeds United,” Dorsett tweets.
“Expected to sign paperwork in the next 24 hours. Harrison wanted to stay. But he also wanted reassurances after the club sanctioned his move to Leicester City on Deadline Day (in January).
“Now, full agreement between the two parties (over the new contract).”
Newcastle target Jack Harrison to stay at Leeds United
As Dorsett points out, Harrison could have been wearing the blue of Leicester if a mid-season departure had not fallen through on January 31st. The Athletic believe that Harrison eventually staying in West Yorkshire was much to do with Leeds’ American investors, 49ers Enterprises, who ‘were not convinced by the sense of that deal’.
Given how the season is turning out at Leicester, he may feel that was a bullet dodged.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is also a big fan of the versatile, energetic, hard-working Harrison.
Newcastle, per the Northern Echo, saw two bids – including one worth £25 million-plus – rejected last summer. Any hopes the Magpies may have harboured of landing a long-term target this summer, however, will diminish ever further if Leeds, fresh from agreeing a new contract with Harrison, then secure their place in the Premier League for a fourth-straight season.
“We just have a really good relationship on and off of the pitch,” smiles Leeds’ former Barcelona left-back Junior Firpo. “He’s one of the best wingers I have had, in terms of helping the full-back.
“This is really important for the full-back; a winger who is committed to the work and helps you with the two-v-ones. Especially here in the Premier League where every team has amazing wingers. It’s unbelievable to have him.”
Leeds, the Daily Mail say, value Harrison at £35 million. The one-time MLS star now has four goals and six assists in 25 Premier League starts this term. He already has more ‘goal contributions’ than across the entirety of 2021/22.
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