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Jack Harrison: Insulting first Newcastle offer officially arrives as Leeds make feelings clear on winger’s sale

Jack Harrison, Leeds Utd, during pre-season defeat v Aston Villa in Australia

Newcastle have reportedly been in contact with Leeds to launch their first official bid for Jack Harrison – and TEAMtalk understands the Whites are taking a tough stance over the winger’s Elland Road future.

Jesse Marsch’s side have had an extremely busy summer so far with seven new arrivals so far. Those deals, totalling around £94.5m, have, however, been offset by the departures of star men Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips. And it seems the Whites are not done yet either with the club still in the market for two more signings.

Indeed, Leeds are still pursuing a striker and a left-back before the window shuts. The left-back situation has been exaspperated by a pre-season injury to Junior Firpo, which will sideline the former Barcelona man for eight weeks.

And it’s also a position Harrison could find himself playing in for Leeds. Indeed, he started as a makeshift left wing-back, of sorts, in the recent friendly defeat to Aston Villa.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have been linked with the winger for some time. Eddie Howe is looking to strengthen his forward line and seemingly sees the winger as an obtainable target. Fuelled by the fact Leeds have already sold their best two players, Newcastle are now positioning themselves at the front of the queue for Harrison.

Reports on Wednesday suggested they were on the brink of launching an opening bid for the player. Now, as per Football Insider, that offer has arrived for Harrison – and it is far lower than initially expected.

As such, they claim Newcastle’s opening gambit falls in an at a paltry £18m.

Leeds are of the mind to reject that given they value Harrison at nearer the £35m mark.

Jesse Marsch clears up winger’s future

The winger refused to dampen speculation over his future with a ‘We’ll see what happens’ retort to a question on his future.

But Harrison remains an important player for United and boss Jesse Marsch insists the winger remains happy at Elland Road.

Speaking in Perth, Australia, ahead of Friday’s friendly with Crystal Palace, Marsch is adamant the winger did not mean to raise speculation over his future.

“Jack unintentionally brought attention to the whole situation because, for sure, his intention is to be with us,” Marsch said.

“Even when I mentioned about (how) we listen to lots of offers for lots of players, that’s the reality of what our business is.

“Jack really didn’t mean to bring any attention to it and I’m sure he’ll have his chance to give his side of things. But I know he’s happy here.

“I know he loves playing for the club and he and I have a great relationship. And he knows how important I think he is to what we’re doing here in the future.”

Leeds stance on Jack Harrison sale revealed

Indeed, TEAMtalk understands that Leeds United will quickly rebuff Newcastle’s approach, deeming it way below their valuation.

The Whites are not in a hurry to cash in on Harrison either and it would take a far higher bid for them to even consider his sale. But with Raphinha and Phillips having departed, Leeds do not need to cash in either.

Their summer spending so far has already been covered and the club has no further need to generate more revenue. With two targets left to sign, they already have room in their budget to achieve that. As such, the sale of Harrison would make little sense to Leeds.

The 25-year-old remains an important member of the Leeds squad, despite seeing his favoured position coming under threat.

That’s amid the signing of Luis Sinisterra, who is an inverted right-footed winger who likes to play off the left wing.

Harrison set for Newcastle move?

Harrison set for Newcastle move?

Jack Harrison has been heavily linked with moves away from Elland Road in recent weeks and Newcastle United are currently the big favourites to sign the 25-year-old.

That will likely mean Harrison switching to the right flank – a position also covered by Daniel James.

Jack Harrison has played 165 games for Leeds, scoring 28 goals. He also has 21 assists in that time, meaning he has a goal involvement every 3.3 appearances for Leeds. As such, that probably makes their valuation of the player fair in the modern market.

Leeds, meanwhile, remain on standby for the signing of Charles De Ketelaere following Wednesday’s meeting between Milan and Brugges over the player.