Silence as January’s transfer window deadline came and went at Leeds United without a whisper of Jack Harrison’s name was the highlight of the day for many. Diogo Monteiro’s arrival was welcomed, Diego Llorente’s exit terms were pleasing, but Jesse Marsch retaining the services of a dependable forward option with Premier League survival in the balance tops the lot.
Leicester City were at the front of a lengthening queue of suitors for Harrison, but none of the offers which came in were big enough to get Leeds around the table on deadline day. Harrison’s contract may be within 18 months of expiring and he may have slipped down the improved pecking order, but Saturday’s performance was a timely reminder he may yet turn out that one decisive moment before this season is up.
The goal at Brentford on the final day of last season is one of his more memorably critical contributions. The 26-year-old may be inconsistent, but in that one stellar performance, from every four or five outings, he’s capable of ruining top-flight defenders.
READ MORE: Weston McKennie's Allegri trust, Pirlo's Leeds United warning and swift dressing room impact
The upshot of Harrison’s attendance at training this morning is more paperwork and more negotiations for Victor Orta. The director of football fully deserves a break and a chance to admire what’s been a hectic, but rewarding January window.
However, he will soon need to get down to brass tacks with Harrison’s representatives and thrash out what the next few years look like for the winger. Luke Ayling, Liam Cooper, Stuart Dallas, Cody Drameh, Rodrigo and Robin Koch are all in the same boat as Harrison with 2024 expiry dates.
They all require some form of plan mapping out for them before they enter the final 12 months of their respective deals, but given how strong the interest in Harrison was last month, the winger needs swift action. Whether Leeds are open to selling the former Manchester City man this summer, next January or summer 2024, if at all, Orta needs to protect his value.
As they did with Diego Llorente in December, Leeds signed the defender onto a new deal, secured his value and then waved him off within six weeks of putting pen to paper. As he approaches the peak years of his career, with Gareth Southgate looking at him in 2022, Harrison needs a deal reflecting his status.
There is no guaranteed plan meaning Harrison has to leave Leeds either. For all we know, he ends up retiring at Elland Road after another 10 years of service under his belt, but this is about business and protecting assets.
The plan had always been for a new deal to get done in early 2023. In December, Harrison told the small crop of media on the Spanish training trip about his agent’s plans to sit down with Orta in the new year.
LeedsLive understands the Whites put talks on the back burner through January to allow focus on the transfer matters at hand for Orta et al, but with every intention of sitting down in February to conclude matters on Harrison’s contract. Those intentions need to be honoured if Leeds wish to remain in control of the transfer narrative this summer.
READ NEXT:
Leeds United loanee Joe Gelhardt under pressure as Sunderland fail to add new forward
Leeds United statement on Jesse Marsch's future gloriously broke every January rule previously set
Leeds United told why Weston McKennie is 'perfect' for them after Juventus transfer
Leeds United star Marc Roca 'in contention' for first international call-up for Spain
Diogo Monteiro's Leeds United loan route, 18-month test of patience, elegant and very skilled
