Archie Gray to get another new contract as Leeds United to be ‘tested’ with summer bids
Archie Gray should be rewarded with another new Leeds United contract given his worth to the team and the fact the Whites will be “tested” with summer bids, Paul Robinson has said.
The England Under-21 midfield ace signed a new deal at Elland Road back in January until 2028 with that contract coming into play when he turned 18 on 12 March (Phil Hay, Square Ball Podcast, 15 March).
However, there have been suggestions that Leeds might already look to offer him better terms (Football League World, 26 March) amid rising interest in the teenage gem.
The likes of Liverpool (Daily Mail, 10 November) and Tottenham (Mail, 8 January) have previously been registered with an interest in Gray and former Leeds goalkeeper Robinson – speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News – believes new terms would bring him in line with other high earners but also help the club ward off summer interest.
“I think he deserves another contract because if you look at the pay levels and the pay grades he’s one of the best players this season so he should be rewarded the same way,” he said.
“You look at the high earners at the team, and how important he’s become to the team, you look at the amount of games that he’s played you’re rewarded on the way you perform and the potential that he’s got.
“It’s a very smart move from the club, protecting their asset because obviously with less time on a contract you’re worth less but with a long-term contract the value to the club, if and when they come to sell him, they’ve locked away their asset and they’ve rewarded a young player who’s done extremely well with fantastic potential.
“Whether he stays at the club or not I think depends a lot on what the player wants to do, what the people around him want for the player, and whether he wants to play in the Championship should the worst happen and Leeds stay in the Championship.
“Should Leeds be in the Premier League, they’re still going to get bids for him they’re going to get tested and they will do well to rebuff those bids and I think it’s bound to happen.
“If they’re in the Championship the player’s got a decision to make over his development. I think Leeds, to give him a new contract it’s rewarding the player, it’s putting him into a pay packet he thoroughly deserves.”
New Archie Gray contract makes sense for Leeds United
Gray has been an absolute sensation for Leeds this season, looking equally at home in the centre of midfielder or at right-back.
Given his age, his potential, and the fact he’s already been namechecked by England manager Gareth Southgate, there is understandable and inevitable interest in Gray.
You do get the sense that Leeds will be able to stave off the interest in his services this summer, even if they don’t manage to get promotion surely staying at Elland Road is best for his development.
But one thing that would certainly sweeten the deal is giving Gray another bumper pay rise to move him in line with other important players in the squad.
In other Leeds United news, one club is having second thoughts over a permanent deal for a Whites loanee.
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