Archie Gray is reportedly attracting interest from Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal (Image: Getty)
Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal will reportedly battle with Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich for Leeds teenager Archie Gray this summer. Gray has shone in his first season in senior football and has long been wanted by Europe’s elite clubs.
The England U21 star could be available this summer with Leeds potentially needing to sell high-value stars after failing to win promotion to the Premier League. Winger Crysencio Summerville has also been linked with top-flight teams.
According to HITC, Man United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City harbour an interest in Gray. German giants Bayern, who are set to appoint former City captain Kompany, are reportedly also keen on the 18-year-old.
Gray had never played a senior game before this season, having suffered an ankle injury ahead of Leeds’ last Premier League campaign in 2022-23. He returned to fitness just as the Whites were battling against Premier League relegation and both Javi Gracia and then Sam Allardyce preferred the more experienced players.
The 18-year-old started Leeds’ Championship campaign under Daniel Farke, though, and played a staggering 52 matches across all competitions. His versatility was particularly useful for Farke and was evidenced by him playing as both a No 10 and right-back during the play-offs.
Typically a midfielder coming through the Leeds ranks, Gray is understood to have caught the attention of big clubs from an early age. One of the Premier League teams may now take advantage of Leeds’ Wembley defeat against Southampton by attempting to strike a deal.
Those top-flight clubs will have to compete with the potentially enticing prospect of a new-look Bayern, where Kompany and England captain Harry Kane might be able to persuade Gray to move abroad. Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed that the appointment of the Burnley boss Kompany was close, and revealed that Pep Guardiola has played a role.
“Our sports director has chosen Kompany, it’s not official yet, there are just some final details to settle,” the 68-year-old told Sky Italia.
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Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal will battle Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich for Archie Gray (Image: Getty)
“Pep Guardiola was also helping us with Kompany, he spoke very highly of Vincent as a talented coach.
“He gave us a big helping hand. He had him as captain at City and he also followed him when he was at Burnley.”
Gray, who only turned 18 in March, signed a long-term contract with Leeds in January, keeping him tied to the club until 2028. The Whites will therefore demand a significant fee for his services.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1904971/Man-Utd-Arsenal-Leeds-transfer