Aston Villa are reportedly set to complete the signing of Jack Harrison on loan from Leeds Utd, and he’s set to travel for a medical with us imminently.
While Villa were expected to be active in the final few weeks of the summer transfer window, our need for reinforcements in the attacking third have become more of a priority following the injury sustained by Emiliano Buendia last week.
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The expectation is that the Argentine playmaker could miss most, if not all, of this season with knee ligament damage, and as we look to try and compete on multiple fronts this year, we’ll need to fill that void.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Harrison has decided to join us over Everton following a phone call with Unai Emery, and he’ll now travel for his medical in the coming hours, with Villa said to have agreed on a loan deal for the winger by activating his relegation clause.
He adds that an option to buy will be included in the agreement, but everything is now agreed between Villa and Leeds and on personal terms.
Harrison scored six goals and provided 10 assists in 40 appearances across all competitions for Leeds last season, but after their relegation from the Premier League, it had seemed likely that he would move on this summer.
Emery has seemingly identified him as a top option to help add more quality to his squad, and if he is convinced by his ability to make an important impact for us, then it’s hoped that the move now goes through as quickly as possible.
In total, Harrison has scored 34 goals and provided 32 assists in 206 games for Leeds, and with his preference to play on the left wing, his arrival would certainly address a key issue in Villa’s squad at the moment with both Buendia and Jacob Ramsey sidelined by injury.
With the versatility to play on the opposite flank too, it could be a sensible addition, and the likelihood is that he could be one of multiple new signings to be made before the deadline as we look to strengthen and add cover for the increasing number of injuries we’re suffering with.
John McGinn was switched across to play on the left side in our 5-1 defeat to Newcastle Utd this weekend, and while Jaden Philogene impressed over pre-season and is another option, it appears as though Harrison will now be drafted in.
It remains to be seen what the knock-on effect of that transfer could be too, as it will likely push the likes of Leon Bailey and Bertrand Traore further down the pecking order and so exits perhaps can’t be ruled out either.
UPDATE:
David Ornstein has since reported that Villa considered a move for Harrison but Everton are now close to signing him, with a move to Merseyside seemingly now the more likely outcome. Further, Fabrizio Romano has also now changed stance, reporting that Harrison is set for Everton move.
