Leeds United are back in the Premier League this season, and the club have major plans to ensure that they remain in the top flight, while developing into a £1bn institution in the coming years. Developing players within their academy is a key part of their plans.
The development of young players in club academies has become even more important in the PSR era, where clubs can generate huge revenues through selling academy products.
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Leeds are keen to ensure that their young players have a pathway to the first team and want to hold on to their top young talent for as long as possible.
Harry Gray silenced the rumours around his future for the time being by signing a new contract. However, one more Leeds starlet is now attracting serious interest from clubs in Europe and the Premier League.
Newcastle have their eyes on Leeds United talent
Sam Alker is a talented 16-year-old midfielder who has been making waves for the Under-18s this season and is part of the England Under-16 squad.
The youngster is on a scholarship, which expires at the end of this season, and will be eligible to sign professional terms with the club once he turns 17.
However, he is now ripe for picking for any club that can sell a project, and Leeds are facing the risk of losing him for a paltry compensation.
Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen are among the German clubs who are keeping tabs on Alker with a view to snaring him away from Leeds.
However, it has emerged that the youngster has suitors in the Premier League as well, where Newcastle are keen to get their hands on him.
The Magpies are monitoring his progress and are prepared to make a move to steal him from under Leeds’ noses ahead of the end of the season.
Alker is highly rated at Leeds, and the club wish to see him sign his professional terms at Elland Road. However, they cannot prevent him from leaving if he wants to.
Leeds must agree on a new deal with Alker soon
The midfielder turns 17 in March next year, and he cannot sign professional terms with any club until then. However, nothing is stopping Leeds from agreeing a pre-contract with him.
He is seen as someone who can break into the Leeds senior team in the coming years, and interest from Dortmund, Leverkusen and Newcastle shows that he has a high ceiling.
The Whites cannot afford to wait until he turns 17 to discuss a new contract with the midfielder, as several clubs are already sniffing around him.
Leeds must demonstrate to Alker and his camp that he is valued, and they should push to finalise a pre-contract with the midfielder ahead of his 17th birthday.
FIFA regulations state that Alker can only sign a contract for up to three years once he turns 17, but it will at least end the speculation around his immediate future soon.
The Whites will be making a huge mistake if they let this situation fester, as Germany has been an attractive destination for young English players in recent years, and Newcastle have the money to turn heads very easily.
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