Leeds United happy to give Archie Gray another new contract already
Leeds United are ready to give Archie Gray a new contract at Elland Road, despite the young midfielder only signing a new deal in March, according to Phil Hay.
The Athletic journalist reported on Wednesday (9 August) that Leeds are happy to secure the services of the 17-year-old for as long as possible and are inclined to offer him a new deal to remain with the Yorkshire club once he turns 18.
Gray who only completed his GCSEs last August and has been forced to change on his own for pre-season matches because of safeguarding rules, impressed immensely in his first league start in the 2-2 draw against Cardiff City at Elland Road on Sunday (6 August).
Discussing the Whites’ wish to extend his deal, Hay wrote: “The consensus as Elland Road emptied at the weekend was that he genuinely does look that good. Leeds have been aware of that for a long time, which is why he was signed to a professional contract at the earliest possible date, as soon as he turned 17.
“The rules governing footballers of his age limited United to a certain length of deal (running to 2025), but he is already on the list of names they would happily tie down for longer.”
A diamond
There is no doubt that Gray genuinely is the real deal and that shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone at Elland Road after he was included in a matchday squad by Marcelo Bielsa at only 15 years old and played a part in his “murder-ball” training sessions.
Despite his young age, the 17-year-old didn’t look out of place on Sunday, touching the ball 84 times, making eight ball recoveries, completing 54 passes and even having a few attempts at goal in what was an intense return to the second-tier for the Whites.
Already securing his services up until 2025 takes the pressure off of Leeds to get a new deal in front of their starlet too quickly, ultimately there is no rush to see him sign a new deal, despite the desire for it to be done.
Hopefully, in the coming months, Gray will be tied down for even longer at Elland Road as nobody feels they’ve seen enough of him in action as of yet, there is an expectation that this young man could be running the show in Yorkshire for a while longer yet.
All suggestions suggest those in charge at Leeds United won’t be letting him go anywhere yet.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites could complete their third signing this week according to Fabrizio Romano