Leeds United: New Archie Gray news makes complete sense as Man Utd and Arsenal lurk: View | OneFootball

It has been reported that Championship side Leeds United are set to offer breakthrough star Archie Gray fresh contract terms, despite having signed a long-term deal just weeks ago.

The 18-year-old is one of the hottest prospects in the second tier following an impressive debut season, and Premier League sides have begun to circle.

It was made a priority for the Yorkshire side to tie the youngster down to lengthy terms, first in the hope of keeping him, but also to put them in the driving seat for negotiations with other clubs should that not be possible.

However, with Gray's performance and confidence levels only heading in one direction, the Whites appear to deem it necessary to offer their academy starlet improved terms already to stand any chance of keeping hold of him.

Fresh terms on the horizon despite new deal

The England U21 international put pen to paper on a new four-year deal back in January, which would see him remain at the club until at least 2028.

It had always been the club's plan to agree longer terms with Gray as he entered adulthood following the signing of his first professional contract in March 2023, aged 17.

Now, however, the club are reported to already be looking at an improved deal for Gray in an attempt to stave off Premier League interest.

Sources have reportedly told Football Insider that any new deal is likely to include a substantial pay rise for the young star, along with an extension beyond the currently agreed four-year term.

Improved offer makes sense with strong Premier League interest

Following his exploits this season, it would be easier to list the Premier League clubs that aren't interested in acquiring Gray's services, with Manchester United,Arsenal and Liverpool all believed to be among the sides considering a move.

With interest from the majority of clubs at the summit of the top tier, Gray and his boyhood club are likely to receive some handsome offers come this summer, and to ensure this attention doesn't unsettle the youngster, Leeds must do everything they can to dampen the reasons for him to leave.

One surefire way to do that is to offer him financial incentives that at least match the sort of deals he would likely be offered by these top-level clubs, with a new deal so soon after his last also signalling to the player how highly he is regarded by Leeds.

With the offer of European competitions and the chance to play in some of the most-watched games on the football calendar, the offers likely to be on the way will always be difficult to refuse, but Leeds moving early, as they appear to be, puts them in the best position to nullify external advances.

Leeds are in a great position to keep Gray, and must use it

It must also be remembered that Leeds look to be in a great position to gain automatic promotion back into the Premier League this season, meaning Premier League football could be just around the corner for Gray anyway, without the need for a move and with an almost guaranteed starting spot.

The 17-year-old is a boyhood Leeds fan and has previously told Sky Sports that his ambition is to stay with Leeds and win trophies.

That goes strongly in Leeds' favour and means it will take a huge offer for Gray to consider leaving his hometown club when there's every chance they could be in the Premier League this season.

Leeds must use this to their advantage and keep hold of the young star for as long as they possibly can. It may be that one day he wants to move on to challenge himself in competitions such as the Champions League but, for now, he seems intent on helping Leeds go as far as they can go.

He looks like a real talent and has made waves at a very young age. His ceiling could be anywhere and those at Elland Road will want him to remain in a white shirt for as long as possible as he realises his full potential.

Though it may seem an odd move to offer a young talent improved terms so soon after his last deal, it might be the most important business the club conducts this summer.