Sean Dyche wants permanent Jack Harrison transfer at Everton as update emerges on Leeds United loan deal
Jack Harrison doesn’t have a permanent transfer option in his loan deal at Everton from Leeds United, according to Leeds Live.
The Yorkshire outlet reported via their website on 18 December that Sean Dyche “would be keen” to keep the winger at Goodison Park on a long-term basis but there is no pre-agreed provision to make it happen.
Sky Sports’ Alan Myers had previously suggested when the 27-year-old made the summer switch that there was a release clause that would allow the move to be made permanent, but it appears that may not be the case.
Harrison has made 13 appearances in all competitions since returning to full fitness from the hip injury he arrived on Merseyside with, scoring once and laying on three assists, and has been a big part of the excellent run Dyche’s side are on.
Asked by Sky Sports recently (9 December, 11.43am) whether he will stay at the club after his season-long loan he was non-committal, saying he would “review options in the summer”.
Tricky deal
It’s no surprise that Dyche would like to keep Harrison at Everton as he has proven a valuable addition to the side since his belated elevation to the line up.
After making his Toffees debut in the Carabao Cup win over Aston Villa on 27 September he has played every game, with the Premier League defeat to Luton Town three days later the only one which wasn’t a start.
What happens in the summer could go one of many ways as his performances under Dyche this season won’t only have increased hopes around the club that he makes his stay permanent, since Leeds will surely have an eye on getting him back in Daniel Farke’s squad if they are promoted, while other Premier League sides will almost certainly be sniffing around as well.
He came close to a £20million permanent switch to Leicester City last January [The Athletic, 1 February], but having signed a new long-term contract after the move was cancelled and returned to something like his best form at Everton he is likely to cost somewhere well north of that if he’s moving for good.
The finances at Goodison Park are a constant consideration currently, so the chances of the club completing a big-money deal to keep him around will be very unlikely if a takeover isn’t completed, and even then it remains to be seen what sort of spending power a 777 ownership would mean.
There remain doubts as to whether the Americans will get their buy-out over the line so who is in charge and what budget Everton have next summer is still very much up in the air.
If Dyche has hopes of keeping the wide man in his squad then it looks like the club would have to negotiate a deal from scratch, and whether they can do so becomes the key consideration.
In other Everton news, a Toffees loan is now set to be terminated in January with a Premier League alternative lined up.