Chelsea have reportedly joined Tottenham in the race to sign Leeds starlet Archie Gray this summer. The versatile England Under-21 midfielder has many admirers in the Premier League but will not be signed on the cheap.
Gray excelled in a fantastic breakthrough campaign at Leeds last season. He made 52 appearances across all competitions, including all three of the club’s Championship play-off matches.
The 18-year-old spent a large part of the campaign at right-back after earning the trust of head coach Daniel Farke. That is despite his more natural position being in central midfield. Top-flight teams are widely understood to admire the youngster’s versatility.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Chelsea have an interest in Gray. Premier League rivals Spurs have also been linked this summer, while Liverpool are known to have kept tabs on the player over the course of the season.
The report claims that while Chelsea are yet to make a formal approach for Gray, Leeds will demand an eye-watering £30m fee for their academy graduate. The Whites have financial issues to contend with after failing to win promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Other Leeds players, including winger Crysencio Summerville, have also been linked with departures from Elland Road. Chelsea have been tenuously linked with Summerville but are expected to look at other forward targets, while teenage striker Marc Guiu will soon arrive from Barcelona.
The Blues are also reportedly interested in Leicester midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The 25-year-old shone under new Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca with the Championship winners last term.
Interest in Gray and Dewsbury-Hall will intensify speculation over the future of vice-captain Conor Gallagher. Chelsea may be at risk of breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations and Gallagher’s potential departure, as an academy graduate, would represent pure profit on the club’s books.
The 24-year-old, who is currently with England at Euro 2024, has reported interest from Spurs and also Aston Villa. Chelsea are widely reported to be asking for £50m for Gallagher, with interested clubs unwilling to pay such a fee.
Gallagher was one of Chelsea’s best performers last season and wore the captain’s armband in the injury absence of Reece James. He played in 50 matches and made 16 direct goal contributions.
Chelsea’s only confirmed arrival this summer is that of Tosin Adarabioyo, with Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian also joining when he turns 18. Adarabioyo has arrived on a free transfer after leaving the Blues’ west London rivals Fulham.