Jack Harrison’s promising start to the season has reinforced Marcelo Bielsa’s confidence that the Manchester City loanee’s market value will rocket during his season with Leeds United, according to Football Insider.
Harrison left many Whites supporters disillusioned by his efforts when he first took to Elland Road, but Bielsa had faith in the 5 ft 7 winger, and urged the United board to push through with negotiations to recapture his talent.
The boss, allegedly, saw potential in the Stoke-on-Trent-born forward that would see him become a £15million-rated talent at a time City were said to value Harrison closer to £7.5million, if the Argentine could work his magic on unlocking the ability lurking under the surface.
Bielsa’s faith in Harrison and his potential market value has now been retold, with the boss confident that the 22-year-old’s impressive start to his second campaign in West Yorkshire is showing the hallmarks of his work paying off.
Harrison has also left Bielsa blown away by his attitude and commitment to improve behind the scenes, as the winger – who scored in the opening day win over Bristol City – spent time during the summer break working on his fitness and strength.
His efforts are seemingly paying dividends, with Harrison locking down the club’s left-wing spot once more, despite the greater competition he faces for minutes with Helder Costa now a part of Bielsa’s plans.
The boss’ retold faith in Harrison soon becoming a £15m-rated talent also refocuses the spotlight on Leeds’ agreement with Manchester City for his temporary transfer.
United were able to include an option-to-buy for an undisclosed fee in the one-season deal, which offers Leeds the chance to cash in on his efforts if Harrison proves to be one of the key players that help to secure promotion into the top-flight.
What amount we would be obliged to pay, however, remains to be seen, and if it is the £7.5million figure City were believed to have requested earlier in the year, then Director of Football Victor Orta may have pulled off a clever deal with United potentially signing Harrison for half his true value.
Although, Manchester City were also tipped to have slapped an asking price as high as £20million on the former England U21 international; which priced Leeds out of striking a permanent deal for Harrison this summer, and would leave United looking elsewhere in the market without promotion first secured.