Leeds United starlet Archie Gray is already attracting interest from some of Europe’s elite clubs.
The 18-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at Elland Road, winning both the Championship’s YPOTS and EFL apprentice of the year last weekend.
He is now already regarded as one of England’s brightest young prospects, with Gareth Southgate already having name-checked him as someone they are keeping a close eye on.
Alongside Leeds teammate Crysencio Summerville, his transfer value has sky-rocketed massively this season. As per the latest CIES Football Observatory Post, Gray is said to be worth more than the likes of Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah and Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez, at £28m.
Thankfully for Leeds, Gray is already tied down to a long-term deal at his boyhood club until 2028, and there is even talk he may be offered a new deal as early as this summer.
What Leeds are thinking about Gray’s future if they remain in Championship
Leeds released their official accounts for the 2022/23 period last week and it would be fair to say they do not make for great reading.
While Phil Hay confirmed the club are compliant with PSR rules, Leeds do owe £190 million to other clubs in unpaid transfer instalments. Another season in the Championship would mean big sales are needed this summer.
Naturally, Gray is someone who would fall under that category given his age, potential and time left on his contract. He would also represent pure profit on Leeds’ accounts having come through the academy.
However, according to Team Talk, Leeds are not fearing the loss of Gray this summer regardless of the division they are playing in next season.
It is said Gray’s agent Hayden Evans and father Andy ‘would not agitate’ for an exit, as they believe he would be better served staying at Elland Road to continue his development.
Gray himself has some big aspirations at Leeds and continuing to build on his family legacy, potentially alongside younger brother Harry, is something he wants to achieve.
Bayern Munich already monitoring Leeds star Gray
As mentioned, there are already some massive clubs keeping an eye on the development of Gray, one of which is Bayern Munich.
However, Gray is not reportedly seen as a ‘hot topic’ at the moment, which should allay any fears of them potentially making a move in the coming months.
The Bundesliga has become a proven league for some of English football’s best young talents to go and develop, but Leeds will certainly be hoping it is in West Yorkshire where Gray does.
Jude Bellingham, Emile Smith Rowe, Jadon Sancho and Reiss Nelson are just a handful of many English youngsters to have played in Germany in recent years.