Leeds United confirmed on Monday afternoon that Jack Harrison has completed a second loan move to Everton. The announcement was notable for its tone, which suggested Leeds were less than enthusiastic about the deal. The club made it clear that it was Harrison’s decision to activate his loan clause once again.

Harrison was believed to be one of two players with an option to leave temporarily after Leeds failed to secure promotion. The identity of the other player remains somewhat unclear, though it is thought to be either Marc Roca or Brenden Aaronson.

Roca, however, is set to join Real Betis permanently rather than on loan. Meanwhile, Aaronson has reportedly rejected offers for another loan move, which might explain why Leeds are particularly frustrated with Harrison’s decision.

Harrison Sends Message to Leeds Ahead of New Season

There have been conflicting reports regarding Everton’s ability to secure Harrison permanently. Graham Smyth has confirmed there will be no option-to-buy in the loan agreement. Fabrizio Romano echoed this but also mentioned that Everton could still make the deal permanent later, depending on the completion of a new takeover before the transfer window closes.

Following the announcement of his move, Harrison took to Instagram to express his excitement about spending another season at Goodison Park. He also acknowledged his parent club, Leeds, despite the frustration surrounding his loan.

He wrote: “Proud to be returning to Everton for our last season at Goodison. I’ve been working hard this summer to hit the ground running in pre-season and show the Blues what I can really do. I want to wish everyone at Leeds well for the coming season.”

Financial Implications for Leeds

Leeds will not receive a loan fee from Everton for Harrison, as was the case with all eight of their first-team temporary exits last year. Instead, Everton will cover his entire salary, which helps Leeds with their Premier League Spending Rules compliance by reducing their overall wage bill, as Angus Kinnear explained last summer.

The real frustration for Leeds lies in the fact that Harrison is one of their most valuable assets. He remains under contract until 2028, making him a significant financial resource in a summer where Leeds need to raise funds through player sales. The lack of a loan fee and the potential delay in any permanent transfer fee means Leeds are losing out on immediate financial gain from one of their key players.

Potential Sale Value

If Leeds eventually decide to sell Harrison, they might expect to recoup around £11 million, which is approximately what they paid Manchester City in 2021. However, for now, they must contend with the immediate implications of his loan move to Everton and the broader financial strategy it disrupts.

As Harrison embarks on another season with Everton, Leeds will be watching closely, balancing their need to comply with financial regulations against the frustration of losing a valuable player on what they perceive as less-than-ideal terms.

The outcome of Everton’s takeover talks and subsequent actions in the transfer market will undoubtedly play a significant role in determining Harrison’s future and Leeds’ financial strategy going forward.