The future of Leeds United midfielder Archie Gray looks set to be called into question this summer, following the club’s play-off final defeat to Southampton.
After a dominant victory over Norwich City in the play-off semi-final, Leeds United went into the game at Wembley against Russell Martin’s Southampton as favourites but an Adam Armstrong goal won the game for the South Coast side.
This heart-breaking defeat to Southampton looks set to raise questions over key player’s futures at Elland Road. HITC have reported that Bayern Munich are hoping to capitalise on Leeds’ EFL Championship status with a move for 18-year-old midfielder Archie Gray.
For Leeds, this would be a disastrous situation. As for Gray, who has lit up the Championship this season, he could follow in the footsteps of another former Championship wonderkid, Jude Bellingham.
Gray should follow in Bellingham’s footsteps
Despite the interest from the Bundesliga giants, as they bid to wrestle the title back from Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen, there is also interest from a quartet of Premier League clubs in Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal.
However, for Gray’s development, a move to the Bundesliga could be ideal and Bellingham’s success is a blueprint for the teenager that a move away from England could work. After excelling for Birmingham City at the age of just 16, the midfielder had a key decision between United and Borussia Dortmund.
Despite the best attempts of the Red Devils, which included being shown around the club’s Carrington training base by ex-United legends, Bellingham chose a move to the Bundesliga.
This turned out to be the ideal next step for the Englishman and he is now expected to be a key man for England as the Real Madrid midfielder has excelled this summer.
Gray would start for Bayern
HITC reported last week that Bayern are closing in on the appointment of Burnley manager Vincent Kompany, with the former Belgian defender set to replace Thomas Tuchel in Bavaria.
A midfield three could be deployed under Kompany with Jamal Musiala a shoo-in to start for the German giants. As for the other two spots, usually Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka would fill in.
However, HITC reported earlier this year that Pep Guardiola’s City were interested in Kimmich, in particular. If the German did depart Bayern, a place in the team for Gray would be found.
It is not only in midfield that he has started but indeed at right-back, which Kimmich can also do, too. Going forward, and as he develops, he will be better suited to a more box-to-box role.
In the Premier League, due to his age, he may be phased into the first team but the talented teenager has been described as ‘absolutuely superb’ by Jon Newsome on BBC Radio Leeds, so starting week in week out will be vital for him.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
