Everton sign Jack Harrison on loan from Leeds United
Jack Harrison is having a medical at Everton after they triggered his release clause at Leeds. Initially, he will arrive on Merseyside on a loan.
Harrison, 26, signed a new five-year deal at Elland Road in April but the terms included a clause that can be triggered by clubs following relegation from the Premier League.
The former Manchester City forward has missed the start of the Championship season with a hip injury and he has been unable to help Leeds in their opening two matches: a draw with Cardiff City and a defeat to Birmingham.
He was subject to a bid from Leicester City in the January transfer window only for the move to collapse dramatically. Harrison subsequently agreed fresh terms at Leeds.
Everton have also shown interest in Leeds forward Wilfried Gnonto but their offers have not been near his valuation. The Italian has declared himself not ready to play at the start of the season and is subject to possible disciplinary action from his club, who insist he will not be sold.
But Everton switched their attention to Harrison last week. They are likely to sell Demarai Gray, who has been subject to approaches from Fulham, who won at Goodison Park on the opening weekend of the season.
Harrison would be Dyche’s most high-profile summer signing, with Ashley Young arriving on a free transfer and young striker Youssef Chermiti bought from Sporting Lisbon for about £15 million.
“He is a young player, he needs to get fit – as in, properly fit, as in Premier League fit,” said Dyche on the arrival of Chermiti. “He is a young player, he is a young talent, we have got to develop him.
“If he surprises us and he is ready straight away then that is great, but he is here to continue learning his game in the Premier League.”
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Gabby Agbonlahor and Jamie O’Hara in Everton agreement as ‘scary’ verdict shared live on talkSPORT
Everton are “bang in trouble” in the Premier League this season following their 1-0 loss against Fulham, according to Jamie O’Hara.
The Toffees kicked off their new league campaign with the defeat at home to the Cottagers on Saturday (12 August).
O’Hara shared the verdict live on talkSPORT, with fellow pundit Gabby Agbonlahor describing the club’s situation as “scary”.
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin currently sidelined with injury, Neal Maupay started up front, with the home side registering 19 shots throughout the match, as per Sky Sports (12 August).
“I look at the amount of chances Everton had,” Agbonlahor said live on talkSPORT. “No goal again, no sign of Calvert-Lewin. It’s scary isn’t it again?”
O’Hara meanwhile claimed: “They’re bang in trouble.”
Worrying times
It really was a very disappointing result for Sean Dyche and his players, who will be very frustrated both with the loss and the failure to find the back of the net from so many attempts.
At least some fans were expecting things to be different this season after the lengthy relegation battle last time out, and indeed the relegation battle that Everton were embroiled in the season before last.
But it might be another tough campaign for the Merseyside club if they don’t fix their final third issues soon.
Fortunately they have already brought in Youssef Chermiti from Sporting Lisbon in a bid to solve the problem, while a fully fit Calvert-Lewin will feel like a brand new signing if he can put his injury struggles behind him once and for all.
But that is a big if, with the Toffees ace constantly battling injury over the last few years, while Chermiti may need time to settle into life in England.
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