:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57487519/usa_today_10394482.0.jpg)
Everton are always on the lookout for promising youth talent, and even when the club is struggling at the senior level, that remains the case. The latest edition of these types of rumors finds the Blues poking around the situation of New York City FC’s (MLS) young winger Jack Harrison.
New York City forward Jack Harrison has emerged as a potential target for Premier League clubs Everton, Leicester City and Brighton and Hove Albion.
The 20-year-old saw New York's season end in disappointment on Sunday evening as they lost 4-3 on aggregate to Columbus Crew in the MLS play-offs but his performances and call-up to England's Under 21 squad have alerted clubs ahead of the January window.
Harrison, only 20, is a promising goal scoring threat from the wing. The Englishman spent time in Manchester United’s academy before moving stateside and joining up with New York City. Harrison recently debuted for the England U21 side, playing with the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ademola Lookman, and Tom Davies.
The report states that Harrison is valued at around £6 million, which is likely a fair going rate for someone of his potential and ability. There are other clubs in for the player’s signature, but Everton’s recent (and not-so-recent) successes with youthful English players will have caught Harrison’s eye.
To glean more information regarding Harrison’s current ability and club situation, we spoke to Noah from SB Nation’s NYCFC blog, Hudson River Blue:
As an Everton and NYCFC fan, Harrison moving would be bittersweet. That said, Everton could use a direct, goal-scoring winger right now. Harrison loves to take people 1 on 1 and whip a ball in. He also likes to do combination play with NYCFC's fullbacks when they get forward.
One aspect Everton fans will appreciate is his willingness to do defensive work. During his time at NYCFC, he has become a more well rounded, two-way player. I think his call up to the England U21s showed he is ready to move on. I think NYCFC would be willing to sell him for 6m pounds, but anything under 10m would be a steal.
Harrison can be a little streaky. He had a hot start to the season, but hasn’t scored many goals in the second half. Still, his total goals improved from 4 to 10 and his assists dropped from 7 to 6. NYCFC lost their second most productive attacker, Frank Lampard, and Harrison did a solid job stepping up
I could see him coming in and starting with the Everton U23s, but quickly integrating himself into the first team. I think there is a strong possibility he moves to the Premier League, but it just depends where he can get minutes. If he leaves, I would love to see him at Everton. I think he would be a shrewd Steve Walsh purchase, utilizing the cheaper MLS market.
It may not be the January splash that Everton fans are hoping for, but Jack Harrison would be another promising addition to one of the best youth setups in the country.