Marsch clarifies Leeds ace’s future after transfer U-turn, with crucial next step coming
Jesse Marsch has confirmed Leeds are “visiting” Jack Harrison’s contract negotiations, after the star nearly left the club on deadline day.
Harrison has been a stalwart for Leeds since their return to the Premier League. He has missed just seven games in two and a half seasons in the top flight.
On top of that, the winger has been one of the top performers during that time. He was directly involved in 16 league goals in his first Premier League season, and followed that up with eight goals and an assist the following campaign.
This season, the Englishman has scored once and assisted four times in the league.
As such, it was a surprise when, on deadline day, it looked as if he would be leaving Leeds. Indeed, reports suggested they’d accepted a bid of £20million from Leicester City and Harrison had even begun his medical.
That was before the Whites apparently changed their minds and offered to match the wages Leicester would have been paying.
As such, he’s returned to Leeds, following the strange turn of events.
All eyes will now be on the Harrison situation, specifically in regards to whether or not he will put pen to paper on a new deal, with his contract running out in 2024.
Marsch breaks silence on Harrison future
Leeds boss Marsch has now broken his silence on Harrison potentially leaving the club on deadline day.
“When big offers come in, players have to consider what that might be so I don’t fault anyone for visiting the possibility,” he said, quoted by the Daily Mail.
“But once we got all the decision makers to align themselves, it was clear we wanted Jack to stay, Jack wanted to stay and that’s why he’s still here.”
It’s unclear why Leicester’s bid was accepted in the first place if the club were keen on keeping the forward.
Leeds hopeful next step will bear fruit
However, it seems Leeds are all in now, and the next step is a new deal for Harrison. The club will hope things pan out differently to how they have in previous contract negotiations, though.
“We’d been talking with Jack for a while about renegotiating his contract and it’s gone well but then been stalled at different moments,” Marsch said
“We are visiting getting that contract extension finalised because I think Jack has earned it and he’s an important guy in our squad.
“I think his head is really clear. This was a chance for everybody to express exactly how important he is to us.
“I wish my wife would show a vote of confidence to me the way we did to Jack in the last 48 hours!”
Indeed, after this saga, Leeds will be keen on contract negotiations come to a satisfying conclusion.
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