Harry Gray is something of an ‘elephant in the room’ figure at Leeds right now.
Despite a run of five games without defeat helping to move the Whites seven points clear of the bottom three, many Leeds fans are eager to see the 17-year-old make his Premier League debut and emulate his brother Archie Gray by becoming a regular at Elland Road.
However, supporters might have to be patient, as Daniel Farke has now offered a hint about what could happen with Harry Gray in the winter transfer window.
Daniel Farke suggests he is ready to send Harry Gray away from Leeds United on a loan deal
The German was quite clear when asked if he plans to offload any players in January, insisting he wants to keep his group together.
A big decision for Leeds United to make… should Harry Gray be sent out on loan?
However, Farke did concede that he is willing to let one of the “younger” players leave on loan if an opportunity arises. The 49-year-old said: “I speak with my players, each and every day. We are in close conversations. I have no plans to give any of my players away, we have a tight group. We want a tight group, I don’t believe in working with a big group, it’s never beneficial for unity or spirit.
“Everyone is needed. I need all of my players. Nearly all of our players have started games. I back my players. We need this group. It’s the other way round – perhaps, we can improve our group. There is nothing close for any of the first-team players. If there is a younger player, a loan makes sense, but nothing from the first-team group.”
There is understood to be interest from elsewhere already, with Hull looking to sign Gray and potentially pair him alongside Joe Gelhardt in attack.
Alan Nixon added that Charlton, Swansea and Derby are also eager to sign the teenager on loan, so it seems the Leeds wonderkid is not short of options by any means.
Farke has only named Gray on the bench once in the Premier League this season, for the 3-1 win at Wolves.
However, youth football seems too easy for the Leeds No.45 – who can boast ten goals and two assists in 13 appearances in the academy this season.
Therefore, Farke and the 49ers may agree that a Championship loan makes sense for Gray, in order to give him a proper taste of senior football at a high level.
Senior opportunities could help Leeds United keep Manchester City away from Harry Gray
The aforementioned Nixon also recently claimed that Manchester City want Gray and are considering a £40m bid for the England U17 international.
£40m for Harry Gray is hard to ignore for Leeds… right?
He's only played once at senior level!
We highly doubt he would push to leave Leeds given his close connection to the club, but the chance to work under Pep Guardiola could prove tempting if his career at Elland Road doesn’t progress soon.
A January loan would, however, show Gray that Leeds are serious about his development and want to get him ready for a potentially greater role next season, so it is something the 49ers should look to make a reality this winter before they run the risk of unsettling a top talent.
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