Archie Gray to Liverpool? The truth behind fresh links with Leeds wonderkid

Tom Weber

• Updated: 21 Feb 2024 15:58 GMT
• 3 min read

Liverpool will most likely not pursue a move for Leeds United wonderkid Archie Gray, according to a report.

The Reds are said to be long-term admirers of the 17-year-old breakout star, who has become a regular for promotion-chasing Leeds under Daniel Farke this season. The versatile youngster, who can feature in midfield and at right-back, has drawn comparisons to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Liverpool have been frequently linked with him since 2023.

The Anfield club aren't the only ones keen, however, with Man Utd also reportedly eyeing Gray, though there is a significant problem. As revealed by FootballTransfers, the teenager comes from a family of Leeds greats and there is a feeling that he would be reluctant to move to Old Trafford given the historic rivalry between his boyhood club and the Red Devils.

This put Liverpool in the driver's seat in the race to secure Gray's signature, with fresh reports claiming that the Reds will make a move for him should Leeds fail to achieve promotion back to the Premier League. However, according to Liverpool expert Dean Jones, there is little to those rumours.

Liverpool not in for Gray

“When you are 17 and playing at the level Archie Gray has been playing at, and on such a consistent basis, you are bound to attract attention, and Liverpool have been linked once again with the Leeds wonderkid," Jones told CaughtOffside.

“But Liverpool sources were pretty dismissive when stories appeared earlier this season suggesting the Reds were ready to spend big money on the teenager, and while he is undoubtedly a big talent, it is hard to see too much logic in such a deal at present."

Echoing what FootballTransfers previously wrote about Gray's links with Liverpool, Jones then lists Liverpool's plentiful full-back and midfield options and comes to the conclusion that "it would feel like an unusual move for Liverpool to commit to such a big outlay for another gifted youngster.”