Everton land ‘key target’ ahead of Aston Villa after summer long chase of Jack Harrison from Leeds United – David Ornstein
Everton have completed the signing of Jack Harrison on loan for the season from Leeds United, according to David Ornstein.
The Athletic journalist reported via the outlet’s website in the early hours of Monday morning (14 August) that the Toffees had completed a deal for another “key target all summer” with the 26-year-old winger a priority out wide along with fellow loanee Arnaut Danjuma.
The Englishman arrives from Elland Road on a temporary deal after Everton triggered the release clause in his Leeds contract and he completed his medical on Sunday, but Ornstein reports it is “likely” they will aim for a permanent deal “in due course”.
Harrison becomes the fourth summer signing for Sean Dyche after Ashley Young, Danjuma and Youssef Chermiti, with the Toffees coming out on top despite Aston Villa’s late foray into the race.
The Premier League rivals reportedly dropped out amid concerns over his return from injury, as he has a hip problem that will keep him out until the first international break after the transfer deadline.
Late in the day
It is unclear why it has taken so long for Everton to complete this move if Harrison has been a prime target all summer, since the relegation release clause they have triggered will have been there the whole time.
His fitness issue has likely helped prevent other teams from swooping in before now, and it may be that until this point even the Toffees weren’t convinced that he would be ready to contribute any time soon.
It will be a frustration to fans that the club have followed up a move for a striker who Dyche has already indicated is more of a project that a man for an immediate impact in Chermiti, 19 [Times, 10 August], with a wide man who is out injured.
But, assuming Harrison is back involved within the next two months there is still a long stretch of the season left after that where having him the squad should be beneficial.
It has certainly been heavy going in the market this summer and bringing in players when the campaign is already underway is hardly ideal even if they are fully fit.
Plus, if Harrison and Danjuma have been the key targets at Goodison in this window that comes as somewhat of a surprise given winger issues seem secondary to those at striker.
If Dominic Calvert-Lewin is still at a stage where he can’t be risked for games it is imperative that Dyche lands a new goalscorer, or Chermiti’s development will need to be sped up drastically.
In other Everton news, the club want to sell a player who they are currently in talks with an English club to loan out according to Sky Sports.