Leeds United bowed out of the Championship play-off semi-finals, squandering a first leg lead to Derby County. Marcelo Bielsa had his team playing fantastic football and almost ran away with the league only for a setback in the second half of the season, depriving them of a Premier League spot.
One of the stars of the Leeds team was 22-year-old Jack Harrison, who was on loan from Premier League champions Manchester City. To sign the winger, Leeds will have to pay a huge sum, with reports suggesting that Manchester City want £20 million for him.
The English youngster was a constant fixture in Bielsa’s side, playing over 40 games for the Whites in all competitions, scoring 4 times and assisting thrice.
While those numbers may not be impressive on paper, Harrison consistently put in good displays, working hard for the team in what was his first full season in English football.
The 22-year-old, who previously played for New York City FC and was signed by City in the 2017 January transfer window, hasn’t made an appearance for City yet, having only been a part of City’s pre-season tour of 2018.
Is Harrison worth the fee?
£20 million is a big sum for some Premier League sides, let alone a Championship club. Harrison is an exciting talent, with his pace, dribbling, and intelligence causing trouble to the opposition, but he hasn’t contributed as much for Leeds United in the Championship to be valued at £20 million.
At 22 years of age, the former Manchester United youth player is bound to improve, that too under a manager like Bielsa (if the Leeds United manager does commit to another year with the club), and could have been a good buy for half the price that Manchester City are demanding.
A player like Jarrod Bowen, who had a great season with Hull City, scoring 22 goals in the Championship, could be a better buy considering he is available for £5 million lesser than Harrison.
Leeds United also need to add more depth to their squad in all areas of the pitch, and it would be wise for them to invest in multiple players than a large chunk on just one player ahead of the 2019-20 season.
