Jack Harrison has impressed since joining Everton on loan for the 2023-24 season from Leeds United and Sean Dyche has now responded to a question about a possible permanent deal.
It comes after 27-year-old Harrison played a crucial part in Everton’s stunning 2-0 Merseyside win this week. Jarrad Branthwaite and Dom Calvert-Lewin scored the goals for Dyche’s Toffees on Wednesday.
A huge win for Everton, pretty much securing Premier League safety even with eight points deducted due to two breaches of Financial Fairplay. Harrison has been a regular part of the Everton side this term.
He was one of eight senior players to use Victor Orta’s relegation loan clause last summer. Allowing Leeds players to jump ship on a dry loan in the event of relegation which in turn left Daniel Farke in the mire.
It meant Leeds could not sell the likes of Harrison, Rasmus Kristensen, Max Wober and more in order to raise cash, limited to what we could spend last summer. Permanent sales are expected this time around.
He produced an “industrious” performance on Wednesday night and Harrison’s work rate was praised by Wayne Rooney. A lot of Everton fans are keen to see Harrison remain at Everton beyond his loan.
Dyche was asked in Thursday’s press conference if he would be keen to keep the winger, and he gave a mysterious answer. Finances at Everton are clearly still an ongoing issue ahead of the summer.
Sean Dyche on whether Everton will sign Leeds man Jack Harrison
“We’ll have to worry about that when we get to the summer because obviously we’re still in that flux position of not knowing quite where it is,” Dyche said in his press conference, ahead of facing Brentford.
“We’re still planning as many things as we can, myself and Kev, scouts and staff are looking at how we could mould things here first and what’s outside of here. But it is the shift in sands at the moment.”
It might be a case of Everton trying to find value for money with Harrison only having a hand in seven goals in 33 games. But fans are appreciative of his defensive work rate and his ability as a team player.
How much could Leeds receive from the sale of Harrison?
Reports claim that Everton have a £20m buyout clause in Harrison’s loan at Everton, with a fee agreed between the two clubs as part of talks to agree the loan. It is not a permanent option, more of a clause.
But that fee was agreed before Everton’s points deductions. The Toffees may be stopped from spending this summer or could be limited to a small budget. It may need the two clubs to re-enter negotiations.
Everton were not the only club looking at Harrison last summer ahead of his move to Goodison Park and that might allow other clubs to swoop. But it looks as if he will leave Leeds in the coming months.