Leeds United ‘worried’ about Archie Gray transfer amid £40m Liverpool links as Paul Robinson admits ‘huge task’
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United …
Paul Robinson believes Leeds United will face a “huge task” to keep hold of Archie Gray if they fail to get promoted from the Championship this season.
The Daily Mail reported on 10 November that Liverpool were “lining up” a £40million move for the teenager after his impressive breakthrough under Daniel Farke, and the Sky Sports pundit admits the Whites “will be worried” about potentially losing him.
Despite extensive family ties to his boyhood club the 17-year-old has already gained a lot of attention after becoming a first-team regular in defence or at right-back, so Robinson feels failure to secure a return to the Premier League could see him go.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News the former England keeper said: “They’ll be worried about losing him if they’re in the Championship. He’s proved that he can play at the top level, and he’s proved that he can play well and sustain that week-in and week-out in the Championship.
“He’s got huge family ties to Leeds, he’s got a fantastic family and I obviously know them very, very well from my ties at the club, and my time with Eddie at the club, there’s a great family history and tradition there.
“So there’s a huge pull for him to stay at Leeds but like any player that performs well in the Championship, regardless of what age you are, if your team doesn’t get out of the Championship, or you’re unsuccessful in the Championship but you’re performing well, other teams will come and that will be the same with Archie Gray.
“The potential suitors will be out there, the scouting networks that clubs have now, the information they have on players, there’ll be a lot of clubs keeping track of him.
“If Leeds don’t get out of the Championship this year they’ll have a huge task in their hands to keep him, regardless of loyalty.”
It is the inevitable downside of a youngster being so impressive so early that it attracts those looking to relieve the club of his services.
Leeds United have everything working in their favour with Gray when it comes to his background and his ties to Elland Road, but outside the top flight the best players are always at risk of leaving.
It is a measure of his rapid progress that he is already a target for the likes of Liverpool after just 18 senior appearances, so Farke will have to hope that quality can help drive the club out of the second tier.
In other Leeds United news, Adam Pope admits he has seen a new “massive, massive worry” within the Whites side.