Journalist makes Leeds United transfer prediction involving Archie Gray | OneFootball

Dan Bardell believes Leeds United may be willing to sell some of their other key first-teamers to keep Archie Gray at the club, making this prediction to MOT Leeds News.

The Whites will need to balance the books following their failure to win promotion, with an underwhelming play-off final display against Southampton consigning them to another season in the Championship.

Having worked so hard to win 90 points during the campaign and having hammered Norwich City to get to the final, they were in a strong position to go on and win the final.

However, the Saints beat them on the final day of the regular league season and Russell Martin's side were able to come out on top at Wembley too.

Following this setback for Leeds, they may have seen the last of Crysencio Summerville, who registered 20 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last term.

Others, including Willy Gnonto, may also be wanted by clubs after managing to recover from a poor start to the 2023/24 campaign.

The Italian was involved in a distracting transfer saga last summer, but after putting that behind him, the 20-year-old was able to impress in the second tier.

Leeds United: Dan Bardell makes Archie Gray prediction

Despite Summerville and Gnonto's 2023/24 performances, Bardell focused more on Gray, who was also mightly impressive last term.

Speaking about the 18-year-old, the journalist said: "I think Leeds are in a position at the moment where they’ll look to sell two or three first-team players and reinvest that money and spend less than they make. They’d rather that than sell Archie Gray.

"I think the Leeds fans will loathe losing him now after the season he’s had. The way I look at it, the club would rather do that than lose him with him being the heartbeat of the team.

"After not being promoted, the loss of him would be more than losing two or three others."

Leeds United have plenty of assets that they can sell instead of Archie Gray

The strategy of selling other first-teamers could end up working out, depending on the size of the deficit they need to make up.

Summerville still has two years left on his contract - and that could help Leeds to secure a very decent fee for the Dutchman.

Gnonto is another player who is young, has plenty of potential and also has plenty of time left on his contract.

The 20-year-old could be sold for a huge amount and so could Gray. However, there are others who could be sold.

An exit for Dan James shouldn't be ruled out following a bright 2023/24 campaign, Ethan Ampadu could also attract interest and some of the players who were loaned out last season could be the subject of bids.

Diego Llorente, Brenden Aaronson, Marc Roca, Max Wober and Jack Harrison can all be sold for fees this summer if permanent offers come in, so it will be interesting to see who stays and who leaves.