Phil Hay has shared details of a hidden clause in Archie Gray’s contract before the Leeds United talent signed a new long-term deal at Elland Road earlier this year.
Gray, 18, has been exceptional for Leeds this season, winning the Championship’s Young Player Of The Season award. Already, Gray has clocked up an enormous 51 appearances in all competitions this season.
A huge amount of games given Gray made his debut for Leeds on the opening day of the season in a 2-2 draw against Cardiff City. He has gone from being an England U17 player, to scoring for England’s U21’s.
Such form from a player of Gray’s age is obviously going to attract interest. Bayern Munich, who are set to appoint Vincent Kompany as manager, are the latest of a number of European heavyweights to be linked.
But Hay says on The Athletic’s website that prior to signing a long-term deal, Leeds had an agreement in place with the talented midfielder that would see his future remain committed to his boyhood club.
Hay now shares secret clause that kept Gray at Leeds prior to deal
Clubs are unable to offer players long-term contracts before the age of 18 and Gray has since put pen to paper on a contract that keeps him at Elland Road until the summer of 2028, now committed to Leeds.
Hay says Leeds had a clause in place that would see the club offer Gray a certain percentage of the lowest offer received for the teenager, amid interest from Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester City.
Indeed, it was agreed that Gray would sign at the earliest opportunity and he has done. Regularly, Gray has made it clear his future is at Elland Road, his dream is to play at the top level for the Yorkshire side.
Are Leeds worried about losing Gray if they don’t win on Sunday?
There are a handful of players in this Leeds side that could leave the club if we do not get a result against Southampton on Sunday. Joe Rodon is the obvious one, given he is only on a dry loan from Tottenham.
The Wales star’s form will have attracted interest from the Premier League. Illan Meslier, Pascal Struijk, Junior Firpo, Willy Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville have all garnered interest at points during 2023-24.
But for Gray, reports indicate that Leeds are not worried in the slightest about losing the England wonderkid even if the club have to stay in the Championship for another season, and lose on Sunday.