Leeds United had long been preparing themselves to lose Raphinha this summer. To a lesser extent, Kalvin Phillips' departure also seemed an inevitability before the home grown hero departed for Manchester City with well wishes.
Losing their two best players and two vital cogs in the Whites machine was a blow, but one planned for as the summer recruitment has shown. Losing another in the shape of Jack Harrison is not part of the plan and for all the potential for a strong-arm approach by the world's richest club, Leeds are hopeful the possibility of a Harrison departure can be thwarted.
Whether you call it a misstep or a slip of the tongue, Harrison's remarks in Australia when answering with a curt "we'll see" when asked if he was staying at the club, did little to douse the transfer flames that have sparked into life around him in recent weeks.
READ MORE: What the Australian press have said about Leeds United's pre-season tour Down Under
Jesse Marsch and Harrison have both walked back that statement, but it doesn't change the fact the winger is wanted by Newcastle United to join their Saudi-backed new era at St James' Park. The big question now is, just how much do Newcastle want Harrison.
Earlier this month saw an enquiry from the Magpies to Leeds, but that approach stopped short of an official offer. With less than two weeks to go before the new Premier League season begins an offer from Newcastle is also unlikely, with Leeds looking to have done a good job, for now at least, in scaring off their league rivals.
The Whites don't want to sell Harrison and are hopeful the £35m figure they have quoted Newcastle for his signature will be enough to keep them away from one of Jesse Marsch's key men. That looks to be the case for now, with sources suggesting Newcastle have no plans at present to come in with an offer for Harrison, with the club waiting to see what develops over the next two weeks as they consider their options.
Leeds' firm stance has worked for now and Newcastle have other options, such as Burnley's Dwight McNeil. The Whites know that resolve could be tested before the transfer window closes, but both Harrison and the club are focussed on Sunday's final pre-season friendly and then the start of the new campaign without any current concerns of any transfer bids being on the table.
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