When Leeds United supporters turned to social media recently, they probably weren’t too happy about anything. Archie Gray’s uncertain future at Elland Road was the source of great sadness.
Gray was reportedly set to be sold to Brentford for £40 million, which would have been a sad development given that Bayern Munich was reportedly interested in acquiring the young Whites star from Thomas Frank’s Bees.
Although current sources indicate that the approach was turned down, the Championship team will still have significant challenges in trying to hold onto their much sought-after wonderkid this summer as Daniel Farke has lined up new midfield players.
Leeds is interested in the previous Championship winner
Oliver Skipp is being scouted up by the German boss, who may even reunite with many old Norwich faces thanks to new bodies moving into the building this off-season.
Soccer.According to reports from London, Farke is interested to sign the young metronome, and the form of the transaction will depend on Leeds’ financial situation, which might be improved by Gray’s departure. Tottenham Hotspur has been keeping an eye on Gray. The agreement could be a permanent swap or a temporary loan move.
With Spurs’ interest rekindled, Skipp would cushion the blow of Gray leaving for Brentford—or any other interested party, for that matter—because the 23-year-old is confident in his ability to excel in the second division and made a name for himself in Norfolk while on loan during Norwich’s championship-winning 20/21 campaign.
In addition, he needs to revitalize his flagging career, as he struggled to get minutes under Ange Postecoglou in North London. The possibility of earning another promotion would be an alluring reason to choose Elland Road as his next destination.
Why Skipp would be a dream Gray replacement
Alongside filling a gap in the centre of the park if Gray was to move on, Skipp would also further give Leeds more depth in this area of the field if Ilia Gruev decides to relocate too.
Even if the Bulgarian holding midfielder was to stay put, Skipp could steal his place in Farke’s XI off him, with the 23-year-old only absent from one second-tier match all campaign long when last playing at the level under the German.
Comparing Skipp against Gray, Leeds would be getting a tougher, yet more composed talent if they were to sign the on-the-fringes Spurs man, with Skipp coming out on top in every comparative statistic glancing at the table above.
Even back at Spurs, Skipp has shone when given a chance in the first-team spotlight, with Tottenham great Glenn Hoddle even describing the 23-year-old as “fabulous” previously, when defending valiantly this season just gone for his current employers when facing off against Brentford.
That showing saw Skipp misplace just one pass all match when he was on the pitch, alongside winning four duels, with the Tottenham number four an arguable coup for the second tier now, having played in the Champions League for the Premier League outfit too.
Previously rewarded for his excellent Norwich efforts with a place in the Championship Team of the Season, everyone at Elland Road will have their fingers crossed that a deal can happen, especially if Gray does depart as he would be a dream replacement.
Farke will also know he can rely on Skipp in the heat of a promotion push, hoping signings like these can give the Whites the upper-hand in another intense battle near the top of the division to come.
