Leeds United had a relatively quite January window with a lot of implications. Fans were excited when a deal for Facundo Buonanotte was announced in the middle of the month.
The team needed attacking quality, which the fans had been crying out for. So the 49ers landing a target they missed out on in the summer raised expectations. Leeds also attempted to sign Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves. The striker’s price tag was around £40 million, but the club still made a bid which showed how ambitious the owners were. However, financial constraints scuppered the deal – PSR meant that the Whites could only pay such an amount in the summer, which meant they could only sanction a loan. Wolves did not like the offer and sold the Norwegian to Crystal Palace.
Another deal that came as a bit of a shock to the fanbase was the exit of Jack Harrison. The winger had been in the team for the first half of the season, but did not get any minutes. He joined Fiorentina in January, with Daniel Farke revealing that Harrison pushed for the move.
Jack Harrison booed by Fiorentina fans
Harrison’s loan deal looked to be off to a promising start when he had an assist in just his third appearance for the Serie A side. The winger managed that in less time than he did at Leeds United in the first half of the season. But since then, things have not gone well; Harrison has not provided a goal or assist in his last six games in all competitions.
Over the weekend, he played 80 minutes in a league game against Parma. Local media outlet FirenzeViola described him as the ‘worst performer’ in the match. Harrison completed zero successful dribbles and lost the ball 12 times as his team were held to a draw. FirenzeViola also highlighted the fact that he was booed when he was taken off after 80 minutes in the game.
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January move was a big mistake by Leeds United
Bringing back Harrison in the summer was a mistake by the club; and adding him to plans for the Premier League was even worse. He ended up costing the likes of Largie Ramazani and Mateo Joseph a spot in the team – they would have been much better in his place in a squad depth role.
Letting him go out on loan in January was a very big mistake. He should only have been allowed to leave on a permanent deal – as it stands, there is close to zero chance that Fiorentina sign him in the summer. And with how poor he is playing, his value will plummet, which means any possible suitors will lowball Leeds in transfer talks.
