Carlton Palmer feels that a large cash offer from a Premier League club could force Leeds United to sell Archie Gray if the Whites are promoted.
The Sun claimed on Sunday (24 September) that Crystal Palace were keeping an eye on the 17-year-old midfielder, who has impressed thus far this season at Elland Road, appearing in all ten of Daniel Farke’s games in all competitions.
Gray has gotten plenty of attention and is immensely highly rated at Elland Road, despite only breaking into the first squad at the start of the season and considering his young age, but former Leeds player Palmer is dubious whether the Whites would be able to reject a substantial deal in January.
“I think Leeds will get promoted this season, I really believe that, I said it at the start of the season,” he told Football League World on Tuesday (September 26). If they are promoted and a large sum of money is offered to them, it may push Leeds’ hand.
“It’s always important for a young player to get minutes, and he’s getting them at Leeds United at such a young age.” He’s unlikely to join a Premier League club and play every week, so it’s best to stay put.
“If he moves to a Premier League club in January, he will almost certainly be loaned back to a Championship club.” So, if Leeds decides to sell, that could be a transaction they look at.”
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As Palmer stated, playing matches on a regular basis is the best thing for Gray’s career, and at 17 years old, there won’t be many places where the midfielder will be a regular starter, especially not in the Premier League given the financial spending power of all 20 clubs.
Although Gray sat on the bench for the first time this season in Saturday’s [23 September] 3-0 win against Watford, this was not due to his performances; rather, it was due to the fact that he was injured.
Farke’s youth was acknowledged, and the option to relax and rotate was taken advantage of.
Gray’s involvement in Yorkshire may be curtailed slightly now that Glean Kamara and Ilia Gruev have joined the ranks, but with the demanding picture schedule in the Championship, the 17-year-old will still play significantly more games than he would with any Premier League club.
If Leeds are also promoted, the midfielder will be able to make a lot smoother transition into top-flight play with a team he knows through and out, rather than having to leave his boyhood club and jump up a tier of the football pyramid all at once.
Leeds United should not want to lose one of their brightest prospects, and they are unlikely to be swayed by a cost, given that his contract at Elland Road continues until 2025 and the Whites are already anxious to extend his stay [Phil Hay, 9 August].
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