Ajax and Atalanta are now interested in securing the transfer of Leeds United forward Jack Harrison in January. The winger is also a target of Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe.
That is according to Ben Jacobs, who reports the Eredivisie and Serie A sides are observing Harrison’s situation at Elland Road. The 26-year-old has an array of suitors around Europe this month. But no moves are considered imminent to lure him away from West Yorkshire.
Atalanta are studying Harrison as the Stoke-on-Trent-born dynamo has lost his guaranteed place in Jesse Marsch’s squad. He has only started in five of their past nine Premier League games. But Ajax also admire his abilities and have kept tabs on Harrison since last summer.
A transfer for Harrison from Leeds interests Ajax and Atalanta for January
Harrison burst out of the blocks to kick off the Premier League campaign in great fashion in August. He recorded an assist in each of the former England U21 international’s first three matches. He also scored once as Leeds claimed a win 3-0 over Chelsea at Elland Road.
But since netting and assisting against a Thomas Tuchel-coached Blues side, Harrison has not scored again. He has also only laid on one further assist since August 21 as Leeds drew 2-2 with West Ham United on January 4. He has also registered two assists in the FA Cup.
Harrison blew Jamie O’Hara away with his strong start this season. The former Tottenham Hotspur star told talkSPORT in September how Gareth Southgate stunned him by leaving the Leeds forward out of the England fold for Nations League ties with Italy and Germany.
O’Hara said: “He’s created three goals, he’s created 15 chances – he’s only behind Kevin De Bruyne. He’s been awesome. I can’t believe he wasn’t in the England set-up.”
Harrison also retains interest from Newcastle boss Howe for a switch in January
Atalanta and Ajax are now studying Harrison’s situation in view of a transfer to Italy or the Netherlands for the Leeds winger. But TEAMtalk has reported that Newcastle boss Howe is still a fan of the £60k-a-week star. The Toon had considered a swoop for him last summer.
The Daily Mail reported in July that Leeds slapped a price tag of at least £35m on Harrison. It was enough for the Elland Road outfit to successfully fend off transfer interest in the 26-year-old from Newcastle. Howe targeted a transfer as he appreciates Harrison’s work rate.
Leeds paid Manchester City £11m to sign Harrison in July 2021 after three years on loan at the club. He played a pivotal part in the team’s promotion from the Championship. But he only signed a contract running to 2024. So, the Whites may soon have to consider his exit.
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