Newcastle United are reportedly preparing a fresh bid for Jack Harrison after their initial offer was rejected by Leeds United.
According to Ben Jacobs, Leeds United’s resolve is set to be tested further with regards to Newcastle United’s interest in Jack Harrison. The Magpies are preparing a fresh offer after their opening move hit a brick wall.
Newcastle United’s transfer activity in defence and attack has been polar opposite this summer. The Magpies swiftly entered the market to reinforce the defensive unit by signing Sven Botman, Nick Pope, and Matt Targett, all reasonably smart purchases. But getting deals over the line for strikers and wingers has been hit with setback after setback for one reason or another, making it a very difficult situation.
Newcastle United were said to have made Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby their top priority this summer. However, rumours suggest that the Magpies have stepped back due to the huge transfer costs required to bring the Frenchman to St. James’ Park. As a result, they have been linked with a host of wide-forwards in recent weeks, one of them being Leeds United winger Jack Harrison.
The Whites have had a very busy summer, with seven new arrivals thus far. Those acquisitions, totalling around £94.5 million in transfer fee, have been offset by the exits of star players Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips. Now, Newcastle are placing themselves at the front of the queue for another key member at Leeds in attacker Harrison.
Last season, Harrison scored ten goals and provided a couple of assists in 38 appearances across all competitions for Leeds United, who struggled badly and barely managed to avoid relegation thanks to the Englishman’s clutch goal on the final day. At 25, he is not even in his prime yet, with Eddie Howe a great admirer of his defensive output and attitude.
The Newcastle boss believes that his creative attributes, goalscoring prowess, and versatility would provide a greater dynamism to his attack. As such, Newcastle even submitted an opening offer of just £18 million to test the waters.
But as expected, that bid was swiftly rejected by Leeds, who are looking for an exorbitant fee of more than £35 million to even consider parting ways with their prized winger. And while many expected the Toon would step back after being quoted such a high asking price, the Tyneside club remain unfazed and are set to launch another assault to land their man.
Considering Harrison has scored eight goals in each of the last two seasons Leeds, it is easy to see why Leeds would resist selling him without a fight, as losing another star is simply not an option for them. Newcastle United are determined to prise Harrison away despite the huge asking price, but they are not expected to cave into Leeds’s unrealistic demands and may not pay over the odds.
