Leeds United announced a new contract for Harry Gray earlier this week and that has deterred some of England’s biggest clubs, but it is another Leeds talent that is still attracting Champions League interest.
There had been talk of Tottenham, Man City and other clubs showing interest in 17-year-old Gray until Leeds finally announced a new deal for the striker. The fifth member of the Gray family to play for Leeds.
It alleviated concern that Leeds might have suffered another big departure from the club’s academy to one of England’s biggest sides. Oliver Boast has joined Spurs recently, Finlay Gorman is at Man City.
But Gray is staying put, at least for the next few years. However, another Leeds talent is attracting interest from some of Germany’s biggest sides and Leeds have hurriedly offered the Thorp Arch gem a new deal.
Thorp Arch.
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Dortmund and Leverkusen eye Leeds prospect Sam Alker
Still only 16, Sam Alker is quickly establishing himself as a regular member of Rob Etherington’s U18 side at Leeds. Having started to win a place in the 18s last season, Alker has since played 13 U18 matches.
This season, Alker has featured either from the bench or in the starting line-up in all seven U18 Premier League matches. A technically-gifted no.10, his rise through the ranks has attracted attention in Germany.
The Mail claim both Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund are considering moves to raid Leeds and land Alker. Not even 17 until March 2026, Alker would not be able to sign for a foreign side until he’s 18.
However, Alker would be free to join any foreign side and would have to wait until he is 18 before he can officially sign. Aware of the interest in Alker, Leeds have moved quickly to offer Alker professional terms.
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What can Leeds do to prevent Alker from leaving for Germany?
The problem English clubs have is that they cannot go abroad, as they used to, and signed youngsters for the academy until they are 18. Vice versa, foreign clubs can’t sign players from English clubs until 18.
But foreign clubs are able to approach the likes of Alker and perhaps, attempt to sway him prior to his 18th birthday. Dortmund, more so than Leverkusen, have shown they have a platform for Englishman.
Jude Bellingham, Jadon Sancho, Carney Chukwuemeka, Jamie Gittens and plenty more examples have joined Dortmund over the years and Alker could be tempted by that. For now, he remains at Leeds.