Huge update regarding Leicester City’s transfer chase of Jack Harrison

Leicester City’s January deadline day was always going to be busy with the club racing against time to complete their business, but now it looks as if there has been a huge twist in their pursuit of Leeds’ attacker Jack Harrison.

After earlier deals for left-back Victor Kristiansen and right-winger Tete, the Foxes were hoping to add to their attack with a £20m bid for Harrison as Brendan Rodgers aimed to boost the quality of his squad. The bid was reported a few days ago, but there were no signs that Leeds had accepted.

Now, however, The Athletic have given an update over the status of the move and it isn’t the news that Leicester wanted. Rob Tanner, The Athletic’s LCFC correspondent, has written on his Twitter feed that a deal for the winger is now looking ‘unlikely at this stage’ but also noted that you should ‘never say never’.

Numerous sources have since confirmed that the hopes of a Harrison deal are now fading, including TalkSport and BBC Radio Leicester’s Owynn Palmer-Atkin. Whilst Leeds are open to the idea of selling Harrison – he only has 18 months left on his contract – they are only willing to do so if they can secure a replacement for their team.

Not only this, but Harrison himself is unsure of the deal and this is thought to be the main issue that the Foxes are facing. Both sides are in a relegation fight and Harrison is already a popular member on the pitch as well as in the dressing room. He may feel as if the move could be a side-step rather than a step-up in his career.

Signed from Manchester City initially on loan, and then permanently for £11m, Harrison has played 186 games for The Peacocks – 88 of those in the Premier League – scoring 30 goals and providing 29 assists. His experience is a key factor in the Foxes’ bid for the winger as they want someone who can challenge and push Harvey Barnes.

Whilst speculation for alternatives grows on Twitter, no credible sources have given any indication that Leicester will strike a deal for another winger if they can’t secure Harrison’s transfer. The club faces a race against time if they are to get their man but at the moment it looks incredibly tricky.

Meanwhile, in more positive news, Harry Souttar is travelling to the East Midlands to complete his medical with LCFC ahead of a proposed £15m move from Stoke. If the medical is successful, the Australian centre-back will become the third player to join the King Power this month.