Orta says Jack Harrison was third choice target before Leeds move

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Victor Orta has told Radio Marca that Jack Harrison was actually the third choice on Leeds United’s list before he joined the club for his first loan spell back in 2018.

Harrison has had a ‘fantastic‘ spell at Elland Road. He has now made 158 appearances for the club in all competitions, with 63 of those games coming in the Premier League.

Of course, it has not always been easy for the winger. His first campaign with Leeds was not the most impressive. And many fans were not overly excited when he returned for a second spell in 2019.

Interestingly, Orta has provided an insight into how desperately Leeds wanted Harrison initially, suggesting that he was actually not their top target.

“With Jack Harrison, for example. Fortunately, it went quite well. We had Harvey Barnes closed, he decided to go to West Bromwich on loan at the last moment. We had Jozefzoon, but he was wrong to catch the train and went to Derby,” he told Radio Marca.

“And Jack was the third option. We believed in the method, in decision-making, we have to recognise it, David Villa convinced me.”

Jack Harrison has proved to be a fantastic signing for Leeds

Obviously, Harvey Barnes has gone on to become a brilliant player. And he seems to have an outrageous knack of scoring against the Whites.

But Barnes was recalled halfway through the season in which he went to West Brom. So Leeds may not have been better off had they signed him ahead of Harrison.

In the long run, Harrison has proved to be an inspired addition. He has 47 goal involvements in 158 games for the Whites.

He has been quieter this year. But that hat-trick against West Ham in January may prove to be absolutely vital come the end of the campaign as Jesse Marsch’s side look to keep themselves up.

Next year could be a massive one for the 25-year-old amid speculation over Raphinha’s future. But he has shown that he has the talent to be devastating in the top-flight.