Liverpool are apparently considering a big-money transfer for Leeds United midfielder Archie Gray, who is 17 years old.
The Reds began the 2023-24 season with a revitalised and youthful-looking midfield, having signed Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, James Milner, and Leighton Clarkson.
The long-running Jude Bellingham controversy concluded with the Englishman joining Real Madrid, while Liverpool spent money on four new midfielders: Alexis MacAllister, Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo, and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Jurgen Klopp‘s starting lineup now includes Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, and Gravenberch, in addition to Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones, and Harvey Elliott.
However, Thiago’s contract expires at the end of the season, despite the fact that he has yet to make his first appearance of the season owing to a hip injury that has kept him out since April.
With the Spaniard turning 33 next year and not likely to return from his latest setback until January, Liverpool are expected to let him depart on a free transfer, with Juventus and Inter Milan showing interest.
As a result, the Reds will most likely want to bolster their engine room even more, and Leeds youngster Gray has been identified as a potential star in the making, according to the Daily Mail.
The 2006-born midfielder was on the Whites’ bench in both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 Premier League seasons, signing a two-year scholarship deal in the opening few weeks of the latter.
Gray did not make his Whites debut before their relegation, but he is having a breakout year in the Championship under Daniel Farke, having already made 17 senior appearances in all tournaments.
In Saturday’s 2-1 win over Plymouth Argyle, the teenager made his 13th Championship start of the season, helping Leeds to maintain third place in the standings heading into the international break.
Gray has recently been used as a right-back, number six, and number eight, and he earned his first three caps for England’s Under-19s last month in a trio of European Championship qualifiers.
Gray signed his first professional contract at Elland Road in the middle of the 2022-23 season, but those terms are set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season, and Liverpool are thought to be planning a move.
Leeds, on the other hand, are determined to keep Grey, and are said to be willing to pay at least £40 million, and possibly as much as £50 million, to sell their highly regarded academy product.
The Whites, on the other hand, admit that they may be obliged to entertain offers in 2024, especially with Everton and Crystal Palace keeping a close eye on his performances.
Gray has been called up to the England Under-19s squad for the upcoming international break, which includes matches against Romania (November 15), Japan (November 18), and Mexico (November 21) in Marbella.
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