Leeds United winger Jack Harrison is attracting increasing interest ahead of the summer transfer window.
What’s the talk?
That’s according to a report by the Daily Mail, who claim that both Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur and Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United are lining up moves for the 25-year-old in the off-season.
Previous reports had revealed that Spurs sporting director Fabio Paratici went as far as to submit an enquiry regarding a deal for the left-winger back in the January transfer window, with Conte believed to be a big fan of the former England U21 international due to his ability to play both at left wing-back and in a front three.
Forget Raphinha
While it is true that Harrison did not enjoy the finest campaign of his career this time out – something that can quite easily be said about the vast majority of the Leeds first team – the argument that cashing in on him this summer would be a disaster for Andrea Radrizzani is nevertheless an easy one to make.
Do you think selling Harrison would be a disaster for Leeds?
Indeed, despite averaging a disappointing SofaScore match rating of 6.67 over his 35 Premier League appearances this term, the £20m signing still managed to find the back of the net eight times, provided one assist and created three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.2 shots, making 1.2 key passes and completing 1.5 dribbles per game.
Furthermore, the £60k-per-week winger who Frank Lampard dubbed “one of the best” (Sky Sports News, 17:25, February 12, 2022) highly impressed in a defensive capacity, with FBref ranking the 25-year-old in the top 7% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s big five leagues for clearances per 90, in addition to the top 13% for blocks, the top 18% for both interceptions and tackles and the top 22% for pressures over the last 365 days.
As such, while Leeds will certainly be hit by the likely departure of Raphinha this summer – with the Brazilian reported to have already agreed personal terms ahead of a switch to Barcelona – it is clear from his statistics that the further loss of Harrison would also come as a gutting blow to Jesse Marsch and his side, leading us to believe that Radrizzani simply must refuse any approach made by Tottenham or Newcastle for the former Manchester City starlet ahead of 2022/23.
AND in other news: Orta can land “frightening” Raphinha heir as Leeds now eye “unreal” £72k-p/w signing
