Chelsea are among the clubs circling Leeds United’s teenage sensation Archie Gray, according to The Telegraph, as new head coach Enzo Maresca looks to bolster his midfield options.
The 18-year-old emerged as a breakout star in the Championship last season, attracting interest from Chelsea and a host of other Premier League and European clubs.
Gray is a versatile star who has impressed both as a right-back and in central midfield roles, making him an appealing option for the Blues.
The EFL Championship Young Player of the Season bagged two assists in 44 appearances in the England second division while winning 57% of duels.
Leeds are understood to be demanding a fee exceeding £30 million for Gray. They believe he is worth such a massive sum due to his potential and the competition for his signature.
Gray’s potential and ability to fill multiple roles makes him a tempting proposition for Maresca.
His hefty price tag could be too steep for Chelsea, who are already well-stocked in midfield with the likes of Moises Caicedo, Enzo Caicedo, Conor Gallagher, Romeo Lavia, Andrey Santos, and Lesley Ugochukwu.
However, Chelsea want Gray because they want to build a squad capable of handling a demanding fixture schedule.
Chelsea’s qualification for the Europa Conference League means a congested season lies ahead, potentially reaching 75-80 games with the Club World Cup factored in.
Chelsea are also reportedly interested in a swoop for Leicester City midfield star Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Like in Gray’s case, they have registered their interest but haven’t put forward a formal offer.
Maresca knows Dewsbury-Hall’s qualities, having worked with the Nottingham-born midfielder last term at Leicester City.
Chelsea’s interest in both midfielders will raise eyebrows from fans who remain unconvinced the club needs an addition in midfield.
The club is already stacked with midfielders, and the addition of Gray or Dewsbury-Hall makes no sense from a sporting angle.
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