Leeds United fans will be confident that Archie Gray is staying put this summer for a number of reasons but German media will have you believe something different.
The 18-year-old is on the radar of a number of big English and European clubs after a sensational 2023-24 campaign in which he played more than 50 times in all competitions as Leeds reached the play-offs.
But defeat in the play-off final means Leeds and Gray will remain in The Championship for another season and try to get themselves back into the Premier League at the second time of asking under Daniel Farke.
Gray has made it clear on a number of occasions that he just wants to play for Leeds and largely gave the impression he would be staying put, whether that is in England’s second tier or among the country’s best.
But a report from German newspaper BILD claims a leak from the “sensational” star’s entourage has told them that he is now ‘definitely considering’ a move to a massive Bundesliga club.
Archie Gray considering move to Champions League finalists
Borussia Dortmund’s interest will not come as a surprise to Leeds fans with the German side said to have shown interest in the England U21 star for much of the season, even more so with Leeds failing to go up.
Over the weekend, a bizarre claim from The Sun said that Leeds were willing to sell Gray for a bargain fee of £20m. But that of course is way below the midfielder’s actual valuation, likely to be double or more.
That report said Dortmund had been priced out of a move but now, BILD say that Dortmund remain very interested and actually a leak from Gray’s camp has suggested to the newspaper that he is also keen.
If Leeds are to sell Gray, Dortmund is the best option
For a number of reasons, the first being Leeds do not want to get promoted and then find themselves coming up against a more-experienced Gray that might even have England caps by the time of a reunion.
Secondly, a move to Dortmund will allow Gray to prosper. It will not see him go to a Tottenham or a City and rot in the reserves and end up back in the Championship, just ask Jack Clarke after going to Spurs.
Whether Dortmund are willing to meet Leeds’ asking price remains to be seen but the lure of joining a Champions League finalist is huge. Dortmund have also shown interest in Leeds left-footer Ilia Gruev.
