Paul Robinson is sure “there will be bids” for Archie Gray in the summer so Leeds United will need to be in the Premier League to have a decent hope of keeping him.
The Whites signed the homegrown teenager to a new contract during the January transfer window which runs until 2028 [The Athletic, 16 January], after a sparkling start to life in the first-team.
But former Elland Road and England keeper Robinson believes the Daniel Farke favourite is of such quality it is going to be hard to keep him from the English top flight, whether Leeds are there with him or not.
Failure to secure promotion this term is therefore tipped to leave the club with “it all on” to fight off bids, with clubs ready to test them despite the extended deal.
He exclusively told MOT Leeds News: “Without a doubt they are protecting their asset financially but also rewarding a young player, one of their own, who they would like to keep for the length of that contract if they could.
“All being well Leeds will be in the Premier League next season and he’ll be a Premier League player. If they’re not they’ll have it all on to keep hold of him for next season because there will be bids that will test their reslience.
“Then it all comes down to what the club want and what the player wants, but for security for both they are in a really good position at the moment.”
Leeds United face transfer battle to keep Gray at Elland Road
Gray only broke into the senior side at the start of the season and has already made 31 Leeds United appearances in all competitions, starting 29 of them.
There will no-doubt be a point where he goes through a rough patch, but the 17-year-old has so far taken to regular first-team football with relative ease.
It is therefore little surprise that the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham [Daily Mail, 10 November & Daily Mail, 8 January], among other Premier League sides, have already taken notice.
While his family ties to Elland Road help the club’s cause that surely won’t be enough on its own to keep him from making the step up if the Whites don’t get out of the second tier, and in the longer-term it may be impossible to stop him leaving altogether.
In other Leeds United news, according to Phil Hay a 2023 signing has still shown no signs of a breakthrough at the club.
