When the eight players left Leeds United on loan using Victor Orta’s relegation clause, no-one saw a way back for them. Brenden Aaronson and Max Wober however, proved that theory wrong.
Aaronson more so, than Wober. The USA international still gets his critics but this is a player that played a crucial role in Leeds winning promotion, starting 44 of 46 Championship games, staying fit throughout.
Meanwhile, Wober says Leeds have told him he will be sold. The left-footed defender only played nine times throughout 2024-25, with the Austrian forced to undergo two operations to correct knee injuries.
Fans were hesitant to welcome them back, but they did after a few boos here and there. That was after using Orta’s clause once, so using Orta’s clause twice surely means a return has absolutely zero chance.
Or does it…
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Jack Harrison’s chances of Leeds role next season are increasing
Not many will have seen it, and only a select few may have predicted it. But Harrison’s chances of coming back in at Leeds could well be on the rise as Adam Underwood focuses on bringing new players in.
There are three reasons why Harrison may well have a role next season. Two of which come in the form of Manor Solomon and Dan James. Solomon has told Tottenham he wants to remain at Spurs next season.
Already, Leeds are a winger down. Everton want Dan James with his contract ending in 2026, and that means Leeds could be two wingers out of pocket. This, when Leeds already need to make new signings.
Underwood is working with a big budget, but with many signings on the agenda. The last thing he needs is more players to replace but it could be that Leeds need to bring in two wingers before the deadline.
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Jack Harrison saves Leeds a whole heap of cash this summer
The other reason, is that Harrison has a contract until 2028 at Leeds. Any interested party is not going to be willing to spend anything close to the £11m fee he was signed for, making another loan more likely.
But if Leeds need wingers, it seems foolish for Leeds to allow one with Premier League experience to go out on loan. Especially, when Underwood needs the budget for other areas of Daniel Farke’s squad.
Leeds will need a left-winger to replace Solomon and may need another to replace James and instead of selling Harrison for peanuts, it is starting to make more and more sense to keep him as cover at Leeds.
It saves Underwood having to put a portion of his budget to one side and sign a replacement out wide, and can allow the Leeds sporting director to spend what he needs to do on the bigger problem areas.