Newcastle United reportedly tried to sign Jack Harrison from Leeds United on the final day of the January transfer window.
That is according to 90min, who claim that the Magpies were one of three Premier League clubs who made a move for the 26-year-old on deadline day.
Aston Villa and Leicester were the other two clubs that tried to sign Harrison, with the latter’s interest well documented.
The King Power Stadium was the winger’s most likely destination, and he even travelled to the Leicester training ground and started having medical in case a late deal was agreed between the two clubs.
But Leeds pulled the plug, and decided to keep Harrison at Elland Road. He could now reportedly sign a new deal with Jesse Marsch’s side, with his current contract set to expire in the summer of 2024.
Newcastle made fresh move for Jack Harrison after missing out in the summer
It is interesting to read that 90min claim Newcastle held talks over signing Harrison on deadline day. He was heavily linked with a move to St James’ Park over the summer, but was deemed too expensive.
Newcastle reportedly made a bid of £20million for Harrison in August, but Leeds wanted £35million. The difference in price saw Dan Ashworth walk away.
Now 90min claim that Harrison was available on deadline day for the amount Newcastle offered in the summer. They state that Leicester were going to pay £20million for him before Leeds pulled out of a deal.
Newcastle could potentially have signed Harrison for a much more respectable fee, but he wasn’t really what Eddie Howe needed on deadline day. The Magpies signed a winger during January in Anthony Gordon, and deadline day was about finding a centre midfielder.
Harrison would have made our forward line even stronger, but he wouldn’t have solved our midfielder woes. He merely would have provided more competition for Allan Saint-Maximin, Miguel Almiron, Jacob Murphy and Gordon.
There is no doubting Harrison’s ability. He is a ‘fantastic‘ player who Howe really likes, but talk of Newcastle trying to sign him on deadline day is very strange.