Stoke City are interested in securing the services of New York City FC midfielder Jack Harrison. According to recent reports, the Potters are planning on making a swoop for the 21-year-old’s signature and has already made a $4.5m for the starlet. It has been confirmed by multiple sources that the bid from Stoke, which includes incentives that might push the deal to $6m, is an improved offer made by the English club following the New York-based outfit’s rejection of an initial $3m offer for their prized asset.
Harrison came through the youth ranks at Manchester United’s academy and then came through the American college system. He is currently plying his trade in Major League Soccer where he has become a key member of the NYCFC team. The 21-year-old could be set for a return back home with the Potters eager to bring him to the Premier League this month. When asked to address the future of the Stoke-on-Trent born player, NYCFC sporting director Claudio Reyna chose to make no comments and was tightlipped about any potential offer that has been tabled for the youngster.
Some sources are claiming that the Major League Soccer club are open to let Harrison depart the club for the right price. That claim can also be backed up by the recent comments made by Reyna on selling players. In an interview last week at the MLS combine, Reyna was quoted to have said, “Every league is a selling league, so why not us,”
“It’s a statement of credibility to be honest. I know in some way we don’t want to lose our most talented players, but we’ll bring in other talented players as clubs.
“I think it’s really a statement of credibility for the league when you start attracting clubs from big leagues to come watch MLS games and the talent here,”
“It should happen, it needs to happen, and I think we need to start looking at this the other way, that actually it’s good for the league that these clubs are coming here because what they’re saying is this player is talented playing in this league and he can come play in a very good league. it obviously brings money into the clubs to reinvest in other players and youth development, so I think it’s something that needs to be done. That’s just my opinion, I know other clubs have different philosophies around it.”
Jack Harrison has made a total of 55 appearances during his time in Major League Soccer, scoring 14 goals and providing 10 assists. The potential addition of the 21-year-old winger could undoubtedly bolster Stoke City manager Paul Lambert’s attacking options going into the second half of their campaign. He was born at Stoke so it could be expected that being a local lad, he will give his all in every match and try to impress while representing his hometown club if the Potters manage to land his signature in the near future.
It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Jack Harrison and whether Stoke City are able to capture his signature.
