Leeds United have one of England’s brightest attacking talents in forward Harry Gray, and they must tie him down as soon as possible.
Leeds have seen academy stars come and go plenty of times in recent years, including of the brightest of a generation in Archie Gray.
Having been the latest of the Gray family to make his senior debut, he was leapfrogged in the record books by his younger brother Harry back in April.
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In case you hadn’t heard, Leeds sensation Harry Gray scored a hattrick for the U21s away to Scunthorpe United this week. United’s quest to retain the National League Cup title brought a 3-1 win on matchday two, thanks to Gray’s three strikes.
Harry Gray is pushing hard to make more senior appearances at Leeds United under Daniel Farke. (Action Images/Matthew Childs)
His goalscoring form overall has been remarkable at U21 level this season, and it unsurprisingly prompted questions in Farke’s pre-Wolves press conference. This is in spite of the Leeds boss making it clear prior to Everton that he wouldn’t be talking about Gray again until he’s actually playing senior games.
“I’m far away from wanting to come across arrogant, over-confident or whatever. But in fourth tier Germany it was only about developing young players to sell,” Farke began, per the YEP.
“Then I took over the most important youth team in Germany at Borussia Dortmund U21, working with the best talents in Europe. At Norwich, I replaced our club captain with a 20-year-old German centre-back. In the second season I replaced another club captain Ivo Pinto with Max Aarons.
“At Leeds I replaced Luke Ayling with Archie Gray. Last season, Mateo Joseph played ahead of Patrick Bamford and Joel Piroe. I gave Harry his debut at 16 but if I would back a manager to be brave enough to play a young player, I would pick me if I’m honest. I’ve said everything necessary.
“He needs first-team training sessions to get used to physicality. He needs game-time with the U21s to not lose his confidence. What he needs most is time and peace.”
Leeds United need to tie Harry Gray down to new contract as soon as he turns 17
You can’t talk about a talent of Gray’s calibre without the lingering worry that another (bigger) club will come in and take him away.
We saw it with Finlay Gorman going to Manchester City, and more notably, Archie Gray joining Spurs for £40million after just one year of regular football.
Thankfully for Leeds, Archie’s younger brother clearly loves this club and is doing everything to fulfil his dream of playing for the senior side.
Gray’s stance won’t stop those vultures circling, though, and Leeds need to tie him down as soon as possible.
At 16, Leeds can’t offer a professional contract yet to the forward. So, they’ll have to wait until his 17th birthday, which is incidentally in 20 days time on October 8th.
Knowing the sheer level of talent we’re talking about, Leeds tying Gray down to a long-term deal as soon as possible could be some of the best long-term business the club do for years.
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