Harry Gray Leeds United transfer latest as four Championship clubs eye January move - Alan Nixon
The Leeds United youngster's red-hot streak continued in the reported presence of Championship scouts this week.
Leeds United youngster Harry Gray is being eyed for a January loan move by four Championship clubs, according to reports.
The 17-year-old’s impressive start to the season continued earlier this week with two goals in a 3-2 Vertu Trophy defeat to League Two outfit Accrington Stanley. The brace further highlighted Gray’s ability to mix it with senior opposition, having scored a hat-trick against Scunthorpe United in September.
According to journalist Alan Nixon, Gray’s eye-catching performance at Accrington was being watched by scouts from a quartet of Championship clubs. The well-connected EFL reporter claims Derby County, Swansea City, Charlton Athletic and Hull City are all weighing up a potential loan move in January.
Hull have already proven a suitable home for young Leeds forwards, with Joe Gelhardt flourishing at the MKM Stadium having initially joined on a six-month loan in January before a season-long switch in the summer. The 23-year-old has seven goals and two assists in 15 Championship appearances and is leading an unlikely play-off push.
Charlton and Derby are both currently in mid-table while Swansea City are down in 18th, having just sacked former Leeds defender Alan Sheehan. It remains to be seen if any of the aforementioned quartet will make approaches for Gray in January but, as Nixon states, the final decision will lie with Elland Road chiefs.
Nixon’s report adds that alongside those Championship outfits, the Scotland national team have also kept a watchful eye over Gray and wanted to include him in their squad for the November break. But like older brother Archie, he’s played at youth level for England and is yet to decide on his international future.
Harry Gray going from strength to strength at Leeds United
Daniel Farke has been at pains to keep Gray away from the spotlight, which has proven hard due to his obvious potential and familial links with Leeds. The teenager follows Grandfather Frank, great uncle Eddie, dad Andy and older brother Archie in pulling on the famous white shirt.
Harry made his professional debut for Leeds towards the end of last season, coming off the bench to partake in a 6-0 thumping of Stoke City. He was involved with the first-team set up through pre-season alongside fellow youngsters such as Sam Chambers, Rhys Chadwick and Charlie Crew - who has since joined Doncaster Rovers on loan.
The young striker has been in a handful of Premier League matchday squads but is yet to come on, with Farke managing his exposure carefully. After turning 17 last month, Gray put pen to paper on his first professional contract, the length of which Leeds opted against disclosing, describing it as ‘long-term’.
“A cornerstone for our future is that promising players like Harry are signing new contracts because we also want to develop our own talents,” Farke said after that deal was announced. “For that, it was relatively straightforward but when you have quality young players, it takes a bit longer until everything is negotiated. I’m pretty delighted it’s over the line and he could sign his first professional contract.”