Leeds United were expecting big things from Jack Harrison when he set foot at Elland Road in the summer, but the pre-season expectation has not been mirrored on the field of play. Despite his struggle, Newcastle United remain interested in signing a player who also made his name in America.
Plenty of Leeds supporters were hoping that Marcelo Bielsa could use his friendship with Pep Guardiola to lure Phil Foden to Elland Road. The pair reached a compromise as Harrison, a promising young winger, moved to the club on a season-long loan deal.
With the midway point in the season rapidly approaching there is little evidence to suggest that Harrison has what it takes to thrive at this level. A fine strike to salvage Leeds a point away at Millwall temporarily gave the supporters reason to believe that he was beginning to find his feet, but he now finds himself on the periphery of the squad.
Meanwhile, at Newcastle United, recent reports claim that Mike Ashley is prepared to break the long-standing transfer record held by Michael Owen to secure the signature of Miguel Almiron – a move which would bring unprecedented joy and relief to the Magpies faithful.
The report from The Sportsman claims that the club’s head of recruitment, Steve Nickson, is flying out to the US to open negotiations with Atlanta United.
The Paraguay international has thrived in the MLS in 2018, scoring 12 goals and providing 13 assists from 32 appearances.
That’s a record which, on paper, is absolutely outstanding, but it’s also one which needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.
With all due respect there are clear lines of distinction to be drawn between the quality of top-tier American football and top-tier English football.
That Harrison looked so impressive in the MLS before flopping in the Championship proves just how difficult it can be to make the transition in English football, and Almiron’s slight frame could prove detrimental to his development at St James’ Park.
And when you consider that Almiron has failed to score or assist in 13 appearances at international level, another layer of substance can be added to the case against completing the reported record-breaking deal which Newcastle are considering.
Ashley certainly wouldn’t win over the entirety of the fanbase with one flash of the chequebook, but breaking the transfer record would do wonders for his reputation, until the supporters realise that signing players based off their reputation in the MLS is an incredibly risky decision to sanction.
Leeds have discovered that with Harrison, albeit, a player whose record in the US is markedly less outstanding, and Newcastle could be the next side to fall into the trap of backing a player to replicate their form from the MLS across the Atlantic.
Newcastle fans – thoughts? Let us know below!
