Chelsea line up Archie Gray transfer as Leeds United make new demand
Leeds United want “well over £30million” for midfielder Archie Gray with Chelsea keen on pursuing a transfer, according to The Telegraph.
The newspaper reported on 27 June that Gray and Leicester star Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are two players the Blues are interested in signing this summer.
18-year-old Gray has reportedly attracted interest from several Premier League and European clubs, but the Whites will demand a figure far beyond £30million for any side who tries to sign him [Bild, 24 June].
Chelsea are yet to submit a formal bid for either Gray or Dewsbury-Hall but have firmly declared their interest knowing both United and Leicester have financial questions to answer [BBC Radio Leeds, 29 May].
Leeds United must strike hard bargain for Archie Gray transfer
Gray’s exceptional performances in his first full season as a United player were always going to raise questions over his future, particularly given how comfortably he took to the Championship [Justin Allen, 15 April]
Several clubs this summer are on the hunt for young prodigies, central midfielders and right-backs, and with Gray ticking all three boxes, it’s no surprise to see Chelsea linked.
Chelsea’s recent approach of buying dozens of youngsters in a short space of time, and doing very little else, could see Gray swerve the West Londoners even if Leeds did accept a bid north of £30million.
However, the allure of the Premier League after his hometown club missed out on promotion will remain for Gray, especially given he showed Chelsea exactly what he was capable of in last season’s FA Cup.
Should Gray want to move to a higher level this summer, Peacocks fans would hardly begrudge him, but they’d wager that there are much better options than Chelsea to set him on the path to the top [Bild, 24 June].
In other Leeds news, this Whites star “certainly” won’t play in the Championship next season.
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