Leeds United owners 49ers Enterprises and manager Daniel Farke must act quickly to avoid the likely departure of Archie Gray, which could cost them millions.
Newspaper reporter Alan Nixon revealed on his Patreon page on September 25 that Premier League outfit Crystal Palace have been placed first in the queue if Leeds are forced to cash in on the prized Academy asset.
Nixon also agrees that Palace see the Grays as an alternative to Blackburn prodigy Adam Wharton, who could prove too expensive for the Eagles, and the Leeds man has already shown this season that he could be part of their youth set-up.
The Eagles have been tracking the 17-year-old talent for some time and his first-team success has put them in the red [The Sun, September 24] and they may not be the only top club in England interested. white does not manage to promote to the Premier League.
The Whites have lost a number of first-team stars, either permanently or temporarily, this summer after relegation to the Championship, including Tyler Adams, Luis Sinisterra, Marc Roca, Max Wober and Rasmus Kristensen, who are looking for pastures new to play. . above. level football. Manager Farke has managed incredibly well to put together a squad capable of challenging for the Championship at the top in such a short space of time, amidst all the recruitment pressure in the closing stages of the window.
Palace’s interest in Gray will come as no surprise to Eagles fans as their recent transfer strategy has focused on bringing in the best young talent from the Championship and giving them space to develop in regular football.
But 49ers Enterprises, who also have ambitions of their own, especially with Farke leading them back to the Premier League next season, see the interest as a desperate need to act and secure Gray’s future at Elland Road when his current contract expires in 2025 [Transfermarkt.
If the Whites don’t mind his current contract situation, they have the opportunity to splash millions on him if Palace or another top club secure his signature next summer for next to nothing, with only a year left. a contract .
Even if they fail in their bid to land England’s best, the fact they have tied Gray down to a new contract puts them in a strong position when the likes of Palace come to the negotiating table.
Former Eurosport reporter Dean Jones, speaking to GiveMeSport on September 29, shares that patience is needed from both sides as Gray will not start every week but could benefit from Daniel Farke’s “positive” project. as a “small part” in a major league club.
It would certainly make more financial sense for Leeds United to give their academy talent opportunities in the first team and secure them long-term deals while they hone their skills for at least a few years before agreeing to part ways for a huge, healthy profit.
With Gray still early in his development at Elland Road, both the 49ers and Farke must act now to secure his growing and exciting future at Leeds United.
In other Leeds news, the former Whites star is showing the Leeds fans some love after what he did in the Europa League game.
