Don Goodman has attacked Leeds United’s prior choice to include a condition in Jack Harrison’s contract that permitted him to go out on loan following their relegation to the Premier League.
Goodman’s comments to MOT Leeds News came after Harrison struggled to make a game-changing impact in Everton’s first team.
Leeds included the same option in a number of players’ contracts last year, allowing many players to take advantage of it and obtain loan moves to rival teams.
Some of those players have since left permanently, but the Toffees, who took him on loan during the 2023/24 season, chose to repeat the process this summer by signing him on another season-long loan.
Unfortunately for the Whites, they had little control over whether he moved out on loan on each time, which is not ideal for a club that could have benefited from selling him during the summer window to balance the books after losing the play-off final to Southampton.
With his contract not expiring until the summer of 2028, Leeds may still be able to sell him in the future, but he isn’t having an impression at Goodison Park during his second loan term.
| Jack Harrison’s 2024/25 loan spell at Everton | |
|---|---|
| (All competitions) | |
| Appearances | 13 |
| Starts | 7 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| (Figures correct as of November 14th, 2024) | |
This might reduce his worth until he starts making significant contributions for the Merseyside club.
Don Goodman speaks out over Jack Harrison’s contract amid Everton loan stay.
With the winger becoming older and unable to make an impact this season, his worth may fall significantly unless he can get himself back on track.
That isn’t ideal for Leeds, who were unable to sell Harrison between the summers of 2023 and 2024 due to the loan provision in his contract.
Speaking about this condition, Goodman told MOT Leeds News: “The contract scenario arose under the previous regime – they gave out insane contracts, which put the club in difficulties when they went under. It is another illustration of the previous regime’s ineptitude.
“If this scenario occurs, they are essentially wasting money. You can’t blame anyone at the club right now for this.
“Jack Harrison is up against some top players at Everton, which is not easy. At the present, he is not winning that struggle.
“It looks like even he himself may be in a bit of turmoil if it’s a season’s loan and he’s not playing – he’s kind of stuck unless he can find another Premier League club to take him on loan, so it’s a mess all around really.”
A permanent solution is required for Jack Harrison’s condition.
Harrison is currently in limbo, and at this point in his career, he probably doesn’t want to go out on loan.
This arrangement may suit the Toffees, who have not had to pay a high price to keep the winger for a few seasons.
However, the player will undoubtedly want to settle down somewhere permanent next season, whether it is in Leeds or elsewhere.
The Whites will also seek a lasting solution.
Keeping him could be a smart decision if they are in the top division because he has previously excelled at the highest level, but selling him could also be a good option because it would offer the Whites more finances to work with.
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