Jack Harrison has become Everton’s fourth signing of the summer after the Blues activated a clause in his contract at Leeds United for an initial season-long loan.
The 26-year-old wide man has been a target for Kevin Thelwell during the close season following the Yorkshire club’s relegation from the Premier League in May and Everton escalated their efforts to land him, with the transfer swiftly concluded despite a late scare from Aston Villa.
The Midlanders swooped in to also agree terms with Leeds late on Sunday afternoon and went as far as booking a medical but reportedly got cold feet after learning that the player’s minor hip injury is expected to sideline him until after next month’s international break and perhaps beyond into October.
Harrison travelled to Merseyside on Sunday, underwent a successful medical, and unveiled as an Everton player on Monday after The Athletic confirmed the temporary transfer late on Sunday evening.
According to reports, the Toffees will pay all of Harrison’s wages for the remainder of the season and could take advantage of a release clause in his Leeds contract to sign him permanently between now and next summer.
It has been suggested on social media that Harrison will be given the No 11 shirt worn by Demarai Gray, although the winger’s departure from Goodison is still pending with nothing appearing to be imminent at this stage.
Widely regarded as one of Leeds’s best players from the last few years, Harrison is a pacy and direct attacking player who can play up and down the flanks and should eventually add a welcome dynamism to Everton’s attack which struggled for clinical finishing in yesterday’s home defeat to Fulham.
He scored 6 goals and provided 16 assists last season but it wasn’t enough to prevent Leeds from going down with Southampton and Leicester City.
Everton have also been trying to sign Harrison’s Elland Road team-mate Wilfried Gnonto this summer and remain keen but have failed to agree terms with Leeds who told him this weekend that he won’t be sold despite the Italian refusing to play.
Aston Villa could also get involved in that saga as well as they seek a replacement for Emiliano Buendia who is facing a long spell out with knee ligament damage.