Archie Gray is one of, if not the most highly sought after member of Leeds United’s squad this summer.
Having been handed his debut against Cardiff City on the opening day of last season, Gray is only really one year into his professional career.
However, big clubs are already liking what they have seen with Bayern Munich just one of several to have taken a look in recent months.
Following Leeds‘ failure to win promotion back to the Premier League, 49ers Enterprises have already acknowledged that some player sales will be needed this summer to balance the books.
Paraag Marathe was asked directly about Gray’s future in an interview earlier this month, but couldn’t commit either way as to whether he was staying, given the close proximity to Leeds’ defeat at Wembley.
Ben Jacobs shares what Gray’s stance is on Leeds exit
Journalist Ben Jacobs was speaking on the latest episode of the Just Joe Football Show on Tuesday night, where he addressed a range of topics at Elland Road ahead of the window opening this week.
Alongside Gray’s future was an update on Leeds’ reported interest in Chelsea defender Alfie Gilchrist, who is actually said to be ‘open’ to a loan move to the Whites this summer.
And while incomings are going to be vital to Leeds’ chances of promotion next season, it is the outgoings which are going to headline the early stages of the window.
With Gray a boyhood supporter of Leeds, as well as his family history, his future certainly feels a whole lot different to anyone else in the squad and so Jacobs has shared an update on what his stance really is on potentially leaving.
He said: “The whole Gray family are very considered in their thinking, and very content to stay, even if it’s another season in the Championship. He has come through the U21s and ultimately one breakthrough season doesn’t mean you have to jump ship.
“I’m not sure many of the clubs linked with Gray can offer him the gametime necessary for his development. Look at Liverpool, who are very close to the Gray family, and I know for a fact that player, player family and those around him respect the people at Liverpool who have made contact, particularly the chief scout Barry Hunter…
“In the Gray family’s opinion, the best place for him is Leeds United and so it is going to take something pretty special, or urgent financially speaking from Leeds’ perspective, to change that.”
Gray’s value could double at Leeds in 12 months
LeedsUnited.News recently spoke exclusively to transfer insider Graeme Bailey on Gray’s future at Leeds, who also had a pretty interesting update.
He believes that if Gray is to stay at Leeds for another season, his value could potentially double over the next 12 months if he helps the Whites to promotion.
With that in mind, Bailey has suggested clubs could look to take advantage of his situation this summer, but it will not be easy.
He said: “If you are Archie Gray you only need to look at the likes of Adam Wharton, or even more accurately Jude Bellingham. I think Archie Gray is a generational talent and we haven’t even seen half of his potential at Leeds.
“Like with Bellingham, you can still be a fan of a Championship club and then go play for someone big. We have seen it plenty of times. He will always be a Leeds fan, but the chances are he won’t spend much of his career there now.
“I think Leeds will be worried going into the summer, if one of these big clubs decide to take a run at him, from the continent, it will be hard to keep him. Gray will be looking at Wharton playing for England last night six months after leaving Blackburn.
“Talent wise, Gray is up there with Wharton and I’m not saying he is the next Bellingham, but he is that good. I think Leeds would do very well to keep him this summer and it depends who wants him.
“He is very high on a lot of teams’ lists and if you do want Gray, you are better off getting him now after Leeds failed to go up. This summer would be the best one to do it, don’t let him be a part of Leeds’ Championship winning team with him as the star player. It might cost you twice as much.”