Harry Gray is seen as the brightest star in the Leeds United academy at the moment, and the 16-year-old striker is expected to carry forward the tradition of Gray family members making it big at Elland Road in the near future.
Daniel Farke wants to be careful about handling the teenagers’ development, who was recently nominated for the Player of the Month accolade in Premier League 2 for the month of August.
Most Read on The Leeds Press
However, he has only made one senior appearance for Leeds, and the manager has made it clear that he does not want to discuss the youngster in public as long as he doesn’t play for the senior side again.
Leeds want to be as diligent as possible to ensure that the spotlight is on him, but the Gray surname and his exploits in youth football are making it hard for the club to hide him away behind the scenes.
Can you name these 10 former Leeds United defenders?
Harry Gray will not be leaving Leeds United anytime soon
Tottenham are among the clubs who are interested in Harry, and Spurs have been trying to convince him to reunite with his brother Archie Gray in north London.
However, journalist Graeme Bailey insisted that the forward will not be leaving Elland Road any time soon, as his father Andy Gray and the rest of the family are happy with his development at Leeds.
The striker is expected to sign his first professional contract once he turns 17 next month, and Bailey sees no reason why the Gray family will change their minds in the next month.
Bailey stressed that Andy and the rest of the family are happy with the way Leeds are handling his development, despite the lack of first-team minutes.
“I’m not expecting him to go anywhere else anytime soon. His dad, Andy, is very happy where he is now, in terms of club and in terms of his development and the handling of it”, Bailey told Leeds United News.
“I’d be very surprised if Leeds lost Gray in the next month or so in time for that senior contract. It’s my understanding that he will stay for that first contract and sign terms when he’s 17.
“And then see how that plays out, really. Leeds is a good place to progress. He knows it and so does his dad.”
Will Harry get more first-team minutes this season?
A 16-year run of having an academy product in the matchday squad at Leeds came to an end against Newcastle United just before the international break.
With the club in the cycle of promotion and survival, the blooding of youth products into the first team has taken a backseat, and top young players such as Charlie Cresswell have left the club.
However, Leeds are being extra careful about Harry, and their diligence has received support from the rest of the Gray family.
Leeds have looked toothless up front this season, and the club were in the market for one more striker towards the end of the window.
With Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin not known for being too durable, there is every chance Harry could make his Premier League debut at some point this season.
Related Topics