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It’s crazy to think this, but it’s been over three years since New York City FC’s coveted wonderkid Jack Harrison was transferred to sister club Manchester City for $6 million. And while the young Englishman hasn’t featured for the Cityzens in those three years since, he has been an integral part to both getting Leeds promoted to the Premier League after a 16-year absence for the Whites and keeping them there, helping guide Leeds to a preposterous 9th place finish.
The 2020-21 Premier League season was Harrison’s third straight campaign with Leeds on loan from Manchester City. And word is, Leeds is getting him permanently.
In a recent report from the Daily Mail, Manchester City will be offloading some surplus players on their roster to beef up the old bank account as the Cityzens look to bring in more world class talent to assist them in winning their fourth title in five seasons. One specific deal in this initiative is the permanent sale of Harrison to Leeds for a fee of about £13 million (or $18,439,200) plus add-ons.
What does that have to do with NYCFC? Well, part of the deal that brought Harrison to Manchester from the Big Apple was a “sizeable” sell-on clause, giving New York City a share of the profits from any future transfer.
As i noted in the piece this morning, this transfer package is less than other offers in up front cash, but the inclusion of performance bonuses and a sell-on mean that it could be an even bigger boon for #NYCFC if Harrison does well and makes a big summer move. #MLS
— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) January 30, 2018
While it’s not known what percentage of the sale the club will be owed, any significant percentage of a deal that is worth over $18 million will massively benefit NYCFC as they head into the dog days of MLS summer and the primary international transfer window. While the team has definitely seen an influx of talent over the past few months and is unlikely to be a big player in the summer transfer window, City will most likely be without Maxi Moralez after the 2021 season when the Designated Player’s current contract expires. And if City is truly impatient and want to make a splash this summer, that option is open as well considering plenty of big names will be out of contract come July.
At the end of the day, more money is more money. And if NYCFC are serious about finally becoming a true MLS Cup contender, they’re gonna have to spend it.