Tottenham Hotspur are the latest Premier League side to register an interest in Leeds United midfielder Archie Gray, according to Simon Jones from the Mail Sport
Gray has featured in all but two of the Whites’ 26 games in the Championship this season, which is a startling return for a 17-year-old. He is yet to score his first goal for the club but did grab an assist in a 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers before the turn of the year while playing at right-back.
Spurs are on the lookout for some new signings this month, and are said to have been watching the player’s development throughout this season. The midfielder is a target for Ange Postecoglou’s side, alongside Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White.
It has previously been claimed that the Yorkshire outfit would only sanction a sale should they receive a similar fee to that which Manchester City paid for Kalvin Phillips in 2022. The Blues paid around £42 million for the England midfielder.
Despite playing at right-back 14 times this season, Durham-born Gray’s natural position is in the centre of the park. This season under Daniel Farke is the first time he’s ever played as a full-back, having never featured in the position for the club at the u18 or u20 levels.
Farke has previously suggested the academy graduate would be a key cog in the future of England. No bid has been made as of yet from the team from North London, but they are paying attention to his development, as well as several other clubs.
The side from Elland Road recently lost wonderkid Finley Gorman to Manchester City. The Blues are also one of the teams monitoring Gray, alongside league leaders Liverpool. It could turn into a battle to keep him in the summer transfer window and promotion to the Premier League this season is likely to give Leeds a stronger stance when it comes to negotiations.
Writer’s View
Signing Gray is likely to be a priority in the coming months for England’s top clubs. Spurs will not be alone in their interest and they will have to propose an enticing package to both the player and the club if they are to be the ones to sign the highly-rated midfielder.
It will be a difficult deal to do considering the 17-year-old has been at Leeds his entire career up until this point. The youngster is unlikely to be a player the club are eager to part ways with easily.