CBS reporter Ben Jacobs has provided his verdict regarding Newcastle United's reported interest in Leeds United winger Jack Harrison.
What's the word?
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the transfer insider revealed that the Magpies "have enquired" about signing the 25-year-old this summer, albeit with the Elland Road outfit's potential asking price set to prove something of a sticking point.
Jacobs stated: "Newcastle have enquired about Jack Harrison. That does tell you that, alongside a young, hot talent, they are also considering a bit more of a proven Premier League product.
“Newcastle are thinking of £20million to £25million if they’re to proceed and Leeds are holding out for £35million-plus.
“I don’t think that Newcastle, even though they are still considering that move, will pay above the odds. That’s the challenge. Newcastle are being very sensible and they’re getting quoted, at times, fees that are considerably above market.”
As alluded to above, Leeds are reportedly holding out for around £35m for the Englishman, who they signed on a permanent £11m deal from Manchester City last summer following successive loan stints at the club, with Eddie Howe and co said to have thus far tabled a bid of just £18m.
He's given Darlow nightmares
While the Tynesiders don't appear keen to be manipulated into forking out a hefty fee for the former New York City FC man, the highly-rated "sensation" - as dubbed by The New Yorker editor Michael Luo - is seemingly a player who they are desperate to land, having seen first-hand the damage he can inflict in recent times.
A particularly impressive performance between the two teams at Elland Road during the 2020/21 campaign illustrated just what a talent the £16.2m-rated gem is, as he registered a goal and an assist in a crushing 5-2 victory for the hosts.
Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow will have had particular nightmares about coming up against the £60k-per-week ace, having been undone by a truly outrageous finish from the pacy winger in that game, with Harrison surging forward on the counter before unleashing a rocket into the roof of the net to add further gloss to the scoreline.
Darlow had almost been a bystander as the ball sailed past his outstretched glove, and the former Nottingham Forest man was again undone in similarly spectacular fashion just a month or so later as Harrison fired home superbly with the outside of his left boot to secure a 2-1 victory for Marcelo Bielsa's team at St James' Park.
Not just a tormentor of the Magpies, the Stoke-born forward has been a thorn in the side of defences across the country over the past few seasons, having bagged 16 goals and registered nine assists in 71 Premier League games so far.
The most recent campaign saw him provide nine goal contributions to help Jesse Marsch and co to a narrow survival escape, netting a belting injury-time strike on the final day at Brentford to secure the Whites' top-flight safety.
On the evidence of the last few years, it is no real surprise that he is courting attention from those at Newcastle, with Howe and co potentially having to bite the bullet and cough up the required fee to land a player who has inflicted such pain on them in the recent past.
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