Leeds United must look to tie Archie Gray down to a new contract amid Liverpool interest
Leeds United have returned to the Championship with a bang this season, as Daniel Farke’s side are in the hunt for an immediate return to the Premier League.
While a number of the new arrivals at Elland Road have stolen the spotlight, the likes of Ethan Ampadu and Glen Kamara have impressed alongside the vast attacking talent. But one star who has impressed week in and week out has been Archie Gray.
The 17-year-old has played in all bar one of the Whites’ Championship matches this season, impressing in both midfield and at right-back, but his good form hasn’t gone unnoticed with teams in the Premier League keen on signing Gray.
One team reportedly lining up a £40-million plus move for the Leeds midfielder is Liverpool, with Jurgen Klopp’s side eager to sign the 17-year-old only three months after he made his first-team debut on the opening weekend of the season [Daily Mail, 10 November].
Both Everton and Crystal Palace are also credited with an interest in the Whites midfielder, whose current contract at Elland Road expires in 2025 and it is believed Leeds’ reluctance to sell would only drive up the price for the teenager.
Leeds United have been keen to tie down Gray to a new contract throughout the current season, with suggestions that they are already happy to extend his stay having only signed a new deal in Yorkshire in March [Phil Hay, 9 August].
That desire now has become a need as Farke must put the wheels in motion to extend Gray’s contract at Elland Road before one of the Premier League’s biggest teams come knocking to steal their latest academy gem from under their nose.
The Whites have invested plenty of time and money to develop the teenager into the player that he has become and it would be a huge waste if they were to allow him to depart so early in his career, even for such a huge potential transfer fee.
It’s unlikely that Gray’s head will turn as a result of the interest, given his emotional ties with Leeds and the fact that he is clearly a very level-headed individual. The best move for his future career would be to remain as a regular in Farke’s side, rather than a squad player at Anfield.
But to ensure that Leeds are the ones with the power over any potential sale, or even potentially drive up their asking price, they have to move quickly to tie Gray down to a much longer contract. Obviously, within the rules allowed for a player of his age.
In other Leeds United news, international media have heaped praise on Marc Roca for his “great” Europa League display for Real Betis