Liverpool preparing big bid to sign 17-year-old Leeds United player next summer

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Liverpool are preparing a bid to try and sign Leeds United youngster Archie Gray.

Gray has emerged as one of the best young players in the Championship this season, becoming a regular in Daniel Farke’s promotion-chasing team.

And according to The Daily Mail, this has caught the eye of Liverpool. The Reds are claimed to be readying an offer to bring the 17-year-old to Anfield next summer.

As the teenager is now a core member of Farke’s squad though, Leeds are said to be ‘reluctant’ to let Gray leave. As a result, the Whites reportedly value him at between £40-£50m.

However, with Gray’s contract running out in 2025, it’s claimed that Leeds may look to ‘cash in’ on their academy graduate, with Liverpool lurking.

Both Crystal Palace and Everton are also said to be interested, which reportedly may leave United with ‘little choice’ but to sell.

Liverpool readying Gray approach

Gray looks like an interesting prospect. To be doing what he’s doing in the Championship at barely 17 is really impressive. Pundit Leigh Bromby called him ‘outstanding’ on BBC Radio Leeds last month. Fair to say that he’s really caught the eye.

There’s also some added intrigue in the fact that he’s already been compared to Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Having been deployed at right-back as well as in midfield by Farke, former Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson has drawn a comparison between the two players.

As Liverpool search for a suitable back-up to Alexander-Arnold, perhaps this has led them to Gray.

Nevertheless, we can assure everyone that there’s simply no chance Liverpool would pay even £40m for the teenager, let alone £50m.

Some players may be worth that after one season of professional football, but not from the second division.

It may be the wrong way of doing things according to some people, but the Reds would rather let Gray go elsewhere and prove himself first. Then, if he does well Liverpool may come in two or three years down the line.

Of course, if the young man continues his trajectory in West Yorkshire, then all of that may be blown out of the water. But unless he does something extraordinary, we can’t see it happening at that price. One to keep an eye on, though.