777 Partners must make Jack Harrison transfer first move after potential takeover

After a miserable few years at Goodison Park, it finally feels as though the mood around Everton has started to lift with a potential takeover on the horizon and an upturn in form.

777 Partners have agreed to a deal in principle to acquire Farhad Moshiri’s 94.1 per cent stake in the Toffees with the deal subject to approval [Sky Sports, 15 September] and it would see the American investment firm become the majority shareholders of Sean Dyche’s side.

The hope is the new owners will be able to provide the funding to help the Toffees pull themselves away from the relegation battles that have occupied the last few seasons and part of that will be through adding to the squad when the transfer market opens once again.

One deal that has to be at the top of the new owners’ agenda is ensuring Jack Harrison’s stay on Merseyside is extended beyond his initial season-long loan to Goodison, given the winger’s electric start to life in Blue.

The winger joined Dyche’s ranks this summer from Leeds United on a loan deal with no option to buy included [Sky Sports, 14 August] and having been sidelined through a hip injury since making the switch back to the Premier League, he made his debut for the Toffees against Aston Villa on Wednesday (27 September).

Harrison started the Carabao Cup clash at Villa Park, playing 65 minutes as the Blues ran out 2-1 winners and the 26-year-old impressed, especially considering it was his first game since Leeds United were relegated back in May.

No player created more chances in the match than Harrison’s two and that was despite the wide man only managing eight passes throughout the entirety of the game. Defensively he went about his business well, winning his only tackle and making two interceptions and ball recoveries. [Fotmob]

Given the Toffees only had 32 per cent of possession, there wasn’t a huge amount of the ball for the 26-year-old to work with, but there was more than enough quality in 27 touches to suggest he will be a good addition to Dyche’s side, especially in his first game after so long on the sidelines.

While reports suggest 777 Partners’ takeover could take months to be approved by the Premier League (Daily Mail, 20 September) they will already be plotting how best to run the Goodison-based side and one of their first aims should be to secure Harrison’s services for next season.

Assuming he stays fit and firing for Everton between now and the end of the campaign it would make sense to make the deal permanent. A deal may be costly as his contract at Elland Road doesn’t expire until 2028 and there is every chance Daniel Farke may guide the Whites back to the top-flight.

But it would be an impressive statement for the new owners to come in and immediately show how they intend to back the Toffees by purchasing Harrison from potentially a Premier League rival.