Leeds United starlet Archie Gray is one of the hottest properties outside of the Premier League. The 18-year-old has many top flight admirers, with Chelsea the latest elite club to have "joined the race" to sign the talented teenager.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the Whites have "financial issues" to contend with after failing to win promotion back to the top flight at the first attempt and suggest Gray is on the Blues' transfer radar as Enzo Maresca looks to revamp their midfield this summer. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, a top performer under Maresca in Leicester City's last term, is also reportedly wanted by Chelsea.
The Daily Telegraph report states Chelsea have yet to make a formal approach for either Dewsbury-Hall or Gray. The national newspaper claims United want well over £30m for Gray, who excelled in a fantastic breakthrough campaign at Elland Road last term. He starred first in midfield and then sparkled at right-back as Daniel Farke's men finished third in the table after racking up 90 points. The 18-year-old made 52 appearances across all competitions, including all three of the club's play-off matches.
Chelsea are not the only club to have expressed their interest in Gray, with Borussia Dortmund also believed to be genuine contenders for his signature. Tottenham have also been strongly linked with Gray while Liverpool are said to have kept close tabs on the player over the course of the 2023/24 season.
England Under-21 international Gray will be expected back at Thorp Arch next week for the first day of pre-season testing and training, having flown out to Dubai to work on his conditioning with ex-Leeds fitness coach Chris Bowman.
Chelsea's transfer interest in Dewsbury-Hall and Gray will only increase speculation over the future of Conor Gallagher, who is currently on England duty. The midfielder has attracted interest from Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid in recent weeks.