Deals are in the process of being negotiated for Jack Harrison and Harry Gray to go out on loan for the rest of the season, to Fiorentina and Rotherham United respectively. And it’s fair to say that our fans are far more glad to see the back of one player than the other.

The Athletic reported today that Leeds United are in the process of negotiating a loan deal for Jack Harrisonto join Fiorentina, initially on loan, but with an option to convert the deal into a permanent transfer at the end of the season. But Fiorentina are currently 18th in Serie A, so this might depend on whether they are successful in avoiding relegation.

His latest move will mean that Harrison will have spent a total of five and a half years on loan at various clubs, which must be some kind of record. He was once highly regarded by our fanbase for the part in played in our promotion season under Marcello Bielsa and the successful first Premier League season that followed, but he has just about completed his journey from hero to zero in the years since.

Many haven’t forgiven him for exercising the clause in his contract that allowed him to go on loan when we were relegated, though some had sympathy for him after the way we messed him about earlier in that season, agreeing a deal with Leicester only to pull the plug when he was already in the midlands for a medical.

After two underwhelming seasons at Everton the Merseyside club didn’t want to keep him, so he ended up back at Leeds by default. With three other wingers at the club, or four if you count Aaronson, it was always going to be difficult for him to re-establish himself in the side, and even more so now that Daniel Farke has moved to starting games with a 3-5-2 formation, and no wingers at all.

And when he has featured this season, he hasn’t exactly been impressive. He looked decidedly lacklustre when he got his chance in the two cup ties we have played so far, and when he got his one league start at Burnley due to injuries to other players. At Forest he came off the bench and was asked to operate a left back but gave away a penalty, meaning he’s unlikely to be risked as a wing back in the new system.

Leeds are now keen to get his wages off the books if he’s not going to be any use, after those who were running the club in April 2023 rather foolishly decided to offer him a new five year contract. But at least our former chairman has since been trying to make amends by trying to persuade Harrison to go to Fiorentina.

Speaking to Italian outlet Firenzeviola, Andrea Radrizzani said: “Last summer, I already tried to advise his agent about bringing him to Italy, so I'm happy this opportunity has come along, especially in a place like Florence.” Radz also said that the slower pace of Italian football will suit Harrison better, and no one who watched his performance at Derby will disagree.

Most of the comments about Harrison on social media have been of the “I’ll drive him to Florence myself” variety, but the reaction to Harry Gray’s loan departure have been rather more mixed. Some fans are aghast, and a few thought he should have played against Derby on Sunday. But others think it’s a good idea for him to get a bit more first team action, even if it’s in a lower division.

The younger Gray made his first team debut when he came off the bench during the 6-0 win over Stoke which sealed our promotion back to the Premier League, and such is his talent that we thought he might get a game or two in the top division, despite his tender years. But instead, he is on his way to Rotherham for the rest of the season.

Daniel Farke explained to the Yorkshire Post why he hasn’t been able to break into the first team at the age of 17, unlike his older brother. "It's a bit easier to shine in the Championship at full-back than to shine as a striker against top, top centre-backs. You can't expect a young striker, 16, 17, 18 to shine with consistency at Premier League level”.

“Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane, they were not regulars at Premier League level at [this] young age scoring goals. Erling Haaland went to senior football at 18 in a league that was not the best in the world, with all respect. It's easier there to find your confidence and goalscoring boots than in the Premier League”.

“Lewandowski started to score goals in his mid 20s, Harry Kane is more or less the same. I don't expect a young striker to score goal after goal at 16, 17, 18, 19. You can shine on the wing or as a full-back but as a striker you have to be patient." So the club have decided that getting him match minutes are more important, but we will be keeping a close eye on his progress.

And one other bit of news on the club’s official website is that Academy forward Devon Brockie has joined Cleethorpes Town of the Northern Premier League on a youth loan.

Reuters