Top of the table at the turning point of the year and in a brilliant place to kick on. It's been a solid first half of the 2024-25 Championship campaign for Leeds United with Daniel Farke's side hopeful of winning promotion back to the Premier League.

The January transfer window is always a difficult one to do business in - as managers across the country so often remind us. And yet, Leeds look set for a busy month with the likes of Joe Gelhardt, Patrick Bamford and Illan Meslier linked with moves away from Elland Road.

Farke will be keen on bolstering his squad so it's a stronger position come the end of the window, with Burnley, Sheffield United and Sunderland all looking to strengthen their squads. However, there may be one complication this month that could impact the Whites' January transfer business.

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One of Victor Orta's final acts as Whites' sporting director was to offer winger Jack Harrison a new contract with Leeds battling against relegation from the top flight. Newcastle United and Leicester City were linked with the wide man, who came close to joining the Foxes on a permanent deal in January two-years ago, but surprisingly, Jesse Marsch and the Whites would pull the plug on the deal despite the player arriving in Leicester to complete a deal.

What happened next still raises eyebrows to this day. Leeds would offer Harrison a new contract out of the blue, extending his stay at Elland Road until the summer of 2028.

Speaking after Harrison signed new terms, Orta said: "Jack is a crucial part of our squad and our plans going forward and I'm really happy he has agreed to commit his long-term future to the club.

"He is one of the most professional players I have come across in my career. He has an unbelievable attitude and only wants to continue improving and I know we will see him at the peak over the duration of the next five years."

Fast forward to present day, the Whites winger is in the middle of his second loan spell with Everton, having made 17 appearances in all competitions for the Toffees this season. Harrison is yet to register a goal or assist in the top flight, returning to Goodison Park in the summer having spent the 2023-24 campaign with Everton, making 35 appearances and scoring four times.

As part of Harrison's Elland Road contract, the 28-year-old would be free to leave on loan as long as interested parties covered his wages during the length of his loan. Last summer, those type of contracts were a pain when to came to keeping hold players, but given his wages, it's a move that made sense for Harrison.

So why the concern? Well, it hasn't gone well for winger, with Everton reportedly open to terminating his loan move. Whether Leeds will have a say in that, remains to be seen.

Even if Harrison were to stay at Goodison Park for the remainder of the season, does he have a future at Elland Road? Farke's side are a different outfit entirely following his departure and it would take some effort to build bridges with the Whites' faithful.

Leeds aren't in a position where they'd be able to afford his wages, should they somehow miss out on promotion back to the Premier League. Even if they do seal a return to the top flight, it's not clear whether he would want to stay, nor whether he'd be a part of Farke's plans.

The Whites once again find themselves with an unwanted headache and the man who made the decision regarding Harrison's contract, missing out on millions in transfer fees, along with the head coach at the time, have both moved on.