Manchester United want to sign Leeds United midfielder Archie Gray as £17m decision made
Manchester United want to sign Leeds midfielder Archie Gray after they decided against triggering Sofyan Amrabat’s buy-option, according to Fichajes.net.
Writing on their website (11 January), the news outlet report that the Premier League club have made the decision on the Fiorentina loanee ahead of the summer window and are looking towards potential replacements already.
And Gray has emerged as a target for INEOS, with the 17-year-old in a “prominent position”, although there are doubts about whether he would be interested in a move due to the rivalry between the clubs.
“Manchester United have decided not to exercise their €20million (£17m) purchase option for Sofyan Amrabat, meaning the midfielder will return to Fiorentina next season,” they wrote.
“Despite this decision, United’s scouting team continues to work hard, with an eye on several options to strengthen their midfield.
“Among the players on the list of possible additions is Leeds’ Archie Gray. Although it is yet to be revealed who will lead United’s new recruitment team, Gray appears to be in a prominent position.
“Uncertainty remains over whether the 17-year-old midfielder would be willing to join the rival club.”
No way
Obviously there is no such thing as a Leeds United fan who wants to see Gray leave the club at any point, and especially not any time soon.
But there are even fewer Leeds fans that want to ever see him wear the red shirt of Manchester United, especially with the family connections he has to Elland Road.
The recruitment over at Old Trafford has been horrific for a while now, and Gray would potentially be committing career suicide by moving there and watching his development stall.
At Elland Road he would be firmly in the team’s first-team plans for a long time and his development would continue on an upward trajectory, especially if this season is anything to go by under Daniel Farke.
It’s probably a nothing story because of the rivalry between the clubs, but if they do look to make a move then the Whites must stay strong and reject any bids.
In other Leeds news, Luke Ayling replacement eyed as club stance emerges for international ace.