Jack Harrison’s future at Leeds United appears to be heading toward an exit, regardless of whether the club secures promotion back to the Premier League this season. The winger, who has spent the last two campaigns on loan at Everton, is reportedly preparing to leave Elland Road permanently this summer, with a return to the United States emerging as a potential option.

Harrison’s Journey and Current Situation

Harrison initially joined Everton on a season-long loan after Leeds were relegated from the Premier League in 2023. Despite interest from other clubs at the time, the Toffees managed to secure his services for the season, hoping he could provide a creative spark in their attacking play. While Harrison has had a mixed spell at Goodison Park, showing flashes of his quality but struggling to deliver consistently, Everton opted to extend his loan for another year when Leeds failed to secure promotion last season.

Now, with just 11 games remaining in the 2024/25 Championship season, Leeds are sitting at the top of the table and look set for an immediate return to the Premier League. However, despite the club’s success under Daniel Farke, it appears unlikely that Harrison has a role in his long-term plans. According to a report from the Yorkshire Evening Post (4 March), even if Leeds do return to the top flight, Farke does not see Harrison as part of the squad moving forward.

To complicate matters further, Everton are also reportedly not planning to make his move permanent. With financial difficulties still a concern for the Toffees, their focus in the upcoming transfer window is expected to be on cost-effective signings rather than spending significant fees on players like Harrison. As a result, the 27-year-old is facing a summer where he will need to find a new permanent home.

The Potential for a Move to MLS

One of the more intriguing possibilities for Harrison is a return to Major League Soccer. The winger spent eight years in the United States before moving to Manchester City in 2018, and reports indicate that he has held exploratory talks with MLS clubs regarding a potential transfer. While no official approaches have been made to Leeds at this stage, a club spokesperson has confirmed that discussions about his future will take place in the summer.

A move to MLS could make sense for Harrison for multiple reasons. Not only does he have prior experience playing in the United States, but his partner, who is from Costa Rica, reportedly spends time between the U.S. and England to be with him. This could make a return to North America an attractive option for him on a personal level.

That said, there are still major questions surrounding a potential move to MLS. While the league has continued to grow in quality over the years, it remains to be seen whether any club would be willing to meet Leeds’ asking price for a player with extensive Premier League experience. Harrison is still under contract at Elland Road until 2028, meaning Leeds are expected to demand a substantial transfer fee if they are to part ways with him permanently.

Another challenge would be whether MLS clubs could afford his wages. Having played in England for several years, Harrison’s salary is likely on the higher end compared to most MLS players. Only a handful of teams would likely be able to afford both his wages and a transfer fee, meaning any move would require significant negotiations.

Other Potential Destinations for Harrison

While a move to MLS is a possibility, it is not the only option on the table. There is still a chance that another Premier League club could come in for Harrison, particularly if Leeds are unwilling to sell him for a cut-price fee. His experience at Everton and Leeds has shown that he is more than capable of playing in England’s top division, and there may be clubs in need of a winger with his skill set.

A move to a mid-table Premier League side or even a newly promoted club could be a realistic possibility. Clubs like Crystal Palace, Fulham, or Southampton (if they secure promotion) could see him as a useful addition to their squad. Additionally, teams in the Championship that fail to secure promotion may also consider him as a marquee signing to boost their chances in the following season.

Beyond England, there is also the potential for a move to another European league. Harrison has never played in mainland Europe, but his technical ability and work rate could make him a good fit for teams in Spain, Germany, or Italy. Leeds could look to negotiate a deal with a club from one of these leagues if there is interest, although it remains to be seen whether such clubs would be willing to pay a high transfer fee.

What This Means for Leeds United

From Leeds United’s perspective, selling Harrison could represent an opportunity to bring in funds to strengthen the squad for their return to the Premier League. Given that he is not in Farke’s plans, it makes little sense to keep him around if there is a chance to cash in on him.

Leeds already made several key signings last summer to rebuild the squad after relegation, and if they are promoted, they will need to add further reinforcements to compete at the top level. Selling Harrison could provide additional financial flexibility to make those necessary upgrades.

That being said, the club will need to ensure that they negotiate the best possible deal. Given that Harrison is under contract until 2028, Leeds are in a strong position to demand a sizable transfer fee rather than letting him go for a cut-price deal.

What’s Next for Harrison?

At this stage, everything is still up in the air regarding Harrison’s future. The next few months will be crucial in determining where he ends up, as clubs will begin to make concrete moves once the summer transfer window opens.

If Leeds secure promotion, they may be able to leverage that position to negotiate a higher transfer fee, particularly if multiple clubs show interest in Harrison. If Leeds fail to go up, however, they may be more willing to accept a lower bid to offload his wages and move forward with their squad rebuild.

For Harrison himself, this will be a big decision. At 27 years old, he is entering a key stage in his career where he will want to find stability and play regular football. A return to the MLS could offer that, but a move elsewhere in Europe or staying in the Premier League may also be attractive if the right opportunity arises.

Regardless of where he goes, it seems almost certain that Harrison’s time at Leeds United is coming to an end. His contributions during his previous seasons at the club, including his role in keeping them in the Premier League in 2022, will not be forgotten. However, football moves quickly, and both Leeds and Harrison now appear to be heading in different directions.

Do you think Leeds should push for a high transfer fee and reinvest in the squad, or do you believe Harrison could still have something to offer if they make it back to the Premier League?