Everton seal Jack Harrison after no Aston Villa hijack, permanent exit possible during loan from Leeds United – Alan Myers
Jack Harrison’s loan to Everton is “done” and as there is a release clause involved the deal “could become permanent during the loan spell”, according to Alan Myers.
The Sky Sports journalist reported via Twitter Monday morning (14 August) that the 26-year-old has arrived without “last minute issues” as Aston Villa’s reported late hijack attempt only amounted to interest from “some time ago” and no Sunday bid.
Myers credited Kevin Thelwell with being “persistent in securing one of the club’s main targets”, as Harrison becomes the fourth signing of the summer after Ashley Young, Arnaut Danjuma and Youssef Chermiti.
It is thought there is no permanent option in the season-long loan but the Toffees are expected to push to make the move permanent at some point.
Long-awaited
Myers’ explanation must mean that Harrison was available on loan or permanently this summer based on relegation release clauses in his Leeds United contract.
And having triggered the temporary version the Toffees have now brought the Englishman in, but the permanent fee presumably remains open for Everton to meet as and when they can afford it and deem it worth paying.
With the former Manchester City man expected to be out for a few weeks yet with injury it will be a while before he can start contributing but if he can get up to speed sooner rather than later should be a valuable asset for Sean Dyche.
For now the priority for any spending has to be the striker position after the Toffees drew a frustrating blank against Fulham on Saturday (12 August), to lose 1-0 in a game they had largely dominated.
Any cash that is available after the signing of Chermiti surely needs to go towards a second striker that is ready to step in immediately, with the 19-year-old Portuguese seen as a development project by Dyche [Times, 10 August].
Indications are that Everton intend to sign Harrison permanently down the line, and if it is the release clause they have their eye on Leeds won’t be able to stand in their way.
The Toffees have been heavily pursuing Willy Gnonto from Elland Road, but the Italian teenager’s exit has been blocked as he doesn’t have such an exit provision in his deal and looks a much tougher signing to secure.
In other Everton news, the club is now “likely” to sell a first-team player amid talks with a Premier League club after bringing in Harrison.