Podcaster Conor McGilligan has claimed that Jack Harrison may want to leave Leeds United if he is asked to play at left-back.
Full-back Junior Firpo has just picked up an injury that will see him sidelined for eight weeks, thus missing the start of the Premier League season.
Even before this, there was a feeling that Leeds needed to enter the transfer market to sign a new left-back, but there has been talk that the club are not planning to do so.
As a result, Harrison has been mooted by Jesse Marsch as being a possible alternative in that position (via The Athletic). But with Newcastle United linked with the winger, McGilligan has outlined how this latest update could impact his transfer wishes.
Indeed, when talking on the One Leeds Fan Channel, McGilligan said: “With Jack Harrison at left-back, I don’t think Jack Harrison would want that.
“Jack Harrison is a left-winger by trade. If Newcastle are offering money, potentially, for him to play at left-wing, Jack Harrison would obviously prefer that move.
“You get the money, you’re probably going to be closer to European football with Newcastle, and he gets to play in his preferred position as well. So yeah, it’ll be interesting to see how that one goes.”
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Interestingly enough, Tottenham Hotspur have also been linked with Harrison recently, prompting talk that he could make a good fit for Antonio Conte as a left wing-back.
However, as McGilligan mentions, the Englishman may seek a move to whatever club can guarantee him minutes in a more attacking role. And that would make sense, considering he has spent the bulk of his career playing as a left-winger, and then also operating on the other flank as the most frequent alternative.
Following the injury to Firpo and Marsch’s quotes, it does look as though Harrison could have to fill in at left-back in the near future. And so, if Newcastle come in with an offer and promise him a spot in their attack, the 25-year-old’s head could well be turned.
Alternatively, the impending departure of Raphinha could open up more opportunities on the right for Harrison, so perhaps he would be wise to at least see how the next few months play out – while Leeds would surely not be foolish enough to let another star go this summer.