The 49ers are to blame for Leeds’ latest transfer woes; as Jack Harrison closes in on an Elland Road exit.

Leeds United’s summer window has been a shambles, and another update on Sunday (August 13) will have enraged fans even more.

Everton are in “very advanced” talks to sign Jack Harrison on loan from the Whites, according to Times journalist Paul Joyce, with a buy option also on the table (Liverpool Echo).

Sky Sports later reported that Harrison would have his physical on Sunday, with the transfer progressing quickly.

The scenario then altered dramatically once more, with Fabrizio Romano stating that Aston Villa had swooped in to hijack the transfer and Harrison heading to Villa Park for a medical.

In a final twist, the Athletic announced that Everton had indeed won the race.

What is certain is that Harrison will go, continuing a bleak trend for Leeds, who have already seen Max Wober, Robin Koch, Rasmus Kristensen, and Brenden Aaronson take advantage of similar exit loan options in their contracts this season.

While the previous administration must bear the majority of the burden for those departures, the genesis of this current transfer twist involving Harrison may be traced back to new owners 49ers Enterprises.

As Leeds supporters will recall, Harrison was on the verge of joining Leicester City, who were also relegated last season, back in January, and was even supposedly having a medical for a £25 million deal (The Telegraph, 18 March).

However, the transaction was called off, and Harrison stayed at Elland Road, where he was unable to help the club avoid relegation.

According to the same Telegraph claim, the U-turn was orchestrated by the 49ers Enterprises, depriving Leeds a substantial gain on the winger.

Even more remarkable, Harrison only signed a new five-year contract with Elland Road in April (official website, 6 April), but that contract included the leave clause.

You’d think the 49ers were aware of what was going on, but regardless of who made the final decision, there has been so much short-sightedness in this whole Harrison situation.

Leeds fans simply deserve better than what has occurred this summer.