Everton have signed Jack Harrison on a season’s loan from Leeds despite the winger facing another month on the sidelines with a hip injury.
Harrison passed an Everton medical on Sunday and has signed on loan with an option to buy. The 26-year-old had a clause in his Leeds contract that allowed him to leave on loan in the event of relegation from the Premier League.
Aston Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, was also keen on Harrison but the club are understood to have had reservations over the player’s fitness. Sean Dyche’s need for attacking reinforcement is more pressing, as highlighted by Saturday’s opening-day defeat by Fulham, and Everton were prepared to take a long-term view. Harrison could be available after the international break in September.
Harrison becomes the club’s fourth summer signing although only one, the 19-year-old striker Youssef Chermiti, has cost a transfer fee as Dyche and the director of football, Kevin Thelwell, work amid tight financial constraints.
Everton have made attempts to sign Harrison’s club-mate Wilfried Gnonto but Leeds have insisted the 19-year-old is not for sale and are taking disciplinary action against the Italy international for refusing to play in recent matches.
Harrison is the seventh player to leave Leeds on loan, after Max Wöber, Brendan Aaronson, Robin Koch, Diego Llorente, Rasmus Kristensen and Marc Roca. The club have also sold Rodrigo and lost Liam Cooper to a long-term foot problem on the opening day. Luis Sinisterra was not included in the squad at Birmingham on Saturday as is expected to leave.
Everton are interested in the Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, who has two years on his contract but is out of favour at St Mary’s. McCarthy is No 2 to Gavin Bazunu and would be backup to Jordan Pickford at Goodison Park. Crystal Palace are also interested in their former player, who joined the Saints from Palace in 2016.
Luton are keen on the experienced Tim Krul, who has less than a year on his contract at Norwich. The 35-year-old Dutchman would provide competition for the Belgian goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski, who joined from Blackburn this month. Luton explored a deal for Manchester United’s Tom Heaton but Erik ten Hag is keen to retain the former England goalkeeper.
