Jack Harrison transfer given green light by ex-Leeds United chief with Newcastle & Spurs interest admission
Leeds United are in talks with Serie A side Fiorentina over a deal for Jack Harrison.
Former Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani is confident Jack Harrison will flourish in the slower-paced Serie A as talks continue over a move to Fiorentina.
Harrison has started just one Premier League game this season and failed to impress as part of a rotated side that beat Derby County 3-1 in the FA Cup on Sunday. The 29-year-old is many people’s fifth choice winger and is now part of a Leeds side who mostly operate with just attacking wing-backs in wide areas.
The YEP reported on talks between Leeds and Fiorentina on Tuesday, with the possibility of a six-month loan with an option to buy being discussed. While details still need to be ironed out between both clubs, Elland Road chiefs are believed to be confident a transfer to the relegation-threatened Serie A club will go through.
Harrison has been a Leeds player for seven-and-a-half years - two of which were spent at Everton - having initially joined on loan from Manchester City in 2018. He went on to form the backbone of Marcelo Bielsa’s Championship title-winning side and then-Whites owner Radrizzani hopes the winger can rediscover his form in Italy should a move to Fiorentina go through.
"He's played less, especially because Leeds changed their system from 4-3-3 to 5-3-2, reducing the space for their traditional wingers,” Radrizzani told Firenzeviola.it. “This has penalized him, but I'm confident he'll be able to return to his former level in a few weeks.
“In Serie A, where the pace is significantly slower than in the Premier League, he'll be able to prove himself. Last summer, I already tried to advise his agent about bringing him to Italy, so I'm happy this opportunity has come along, especially in a place like Florence.
"We had several top-tier clubs interested in him for a long time. Newcastle were very close, but Tottenham, under Antonio Conte, also seriously considered him. For us, however, it was difficult to sacrifice him because he had always been a useful player, capable of playing on both flanks, always available, and almost never injured.”
Ex-Leeds United chief on Jack Harrison strengths amid Fiorentina links
Harrison has fallen short of the form he enjoyed under Bielsa for several years, failing to reach double figures for Premier League goal contributions every season since his five goals and seven assists in 2022/23. But Farke has regularly spoken fondly of the winger’s application and attitude around the group and that no doubt played a part in him attracting attention from Italy.
Asked for his opinion on why Fiorentina have zoned in on Harrison, Radrizzani added: "Because Jack is, first and foremost, a great guy, a positive person, and a true professional. He's always disciplined, follows the rules, and is very focused.
“On top of that, he's also an excellent player: especially during his years with Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds, he achieved his best performances. He played the winger role in a modern sense, covering the entire flank, both right and left, often switching positions with great determination, desire, and a remarkable level of technique."