EXCLUSIVE: Man Utd fear snub for Leeds wonderkid Archie Gray

Jacque Talbot

• 12 Jan 2024 04:59 CST
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Manchester United are targeting Leeds youngster Archie Gray but there are fears around whether he would accept a move to Old Trafford given his family’s history with the Whites, FootballTransfers has been told.

At 17 years old, Gray has become a key player for Leeds, making 25 starts and two substitute appearances during the 2023-24 season. Sources inform us that Ineos are admirers of Gray and believe he suits their blueprint of recruiting young, emerging English talent.

The teenager, who can operate as a right-back or in the centre of midfield, is the son of Andy Gray, who played for Leeds. Also, his grandfather Frank and legendary great-uncle Eddie all played for the Yorkshire giants.

There is concern that Gray would snub interest from Man Utd if a proposal were to come in owing to his allegiance to his current side who share a heated rivalry with the Red Devils.

Gray’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 campaign and already sides such as Man Utd and Liverpool have expressed an interest.

The England Under-20 international is deemed not for sale by Leeds but it will all be dependent on whether Daniel Farke’s side manage to get promoted ahead of the next campaign.

Who will Man Utd buy in the January transfer window?

Given the club’s current Financial Fair Play (FFP) limitations, it’s unlikely that any permanent deals will be made by Man Utd. There is optimism for increased flexibility in the upcoming summer, at which point Ineos will have control of football operations.

The likes of Casemiro and Sofyan Amrabat face uncertain futures. While the same could be said of Hannibal Mejbri - who is heading to Sevilla.

Meanwhile, we have been told that Everton’s Amadou Onana is a major target but nothing will take place for another six months at least.