Free transfer: Leeds close to signing £130k-p/w star compared to Phillips
The £130,000-per-week talent, who has been likened to another suspected target in Kalvin Phillips, is reportedly closer to joining Leeds United.
Phillips linked with return to Leeds from Man City
The Whites’ 6-0 victory over Stoke City on Monday night set off wild scenes at Elland Road as they secured promotion from the Championship to the Premier League.
Burnley defeated Sheffield United 2-1, sending the Whites and Clarets up with two games remaining, as Daniel Farke and the Leeds players watched from Elland Road.
On the pitch, the focus will now be on defeating Plymouth Argyle and Bristol City to win the championship, but behind the scenes, plans are already being made in front of the transfer window.
Several players, notably former star Phillips, who has struggled since leaving Leeds for Manchester City in 2022, have previously been linked to a transfer to Yorkshire.
Before joining Ipswich Town for the current 2024–25 season, the holding midfielder was loaned to West Ham at the start of 2024 because he had trouble fitting into Pep Guardiola’s plans.
However, Phillips might be looking for a new club and is rumoured to be keen on rejoining Leeds, as the Tractor Boys are expected to return to the Championship right away. It is said that the 29-year-old is attempting to revive his career at the international level while also lobbying for a return to Elland Road.
A dream first deal after promotion: £15m star wants to sign for Leeds
This summer, the player is allegedly eager to sign a long-term contract with Leeds United.
However, Julian Weigl, the star of Borussia Monchengladbach, is one of the other midfield targets that Leeds, Farke, and the 49ers have in mind. Leeds may not have to pay a dime to acquire another midfield player who has been linked to a transfer to Yorkshire.
Leeds close to signing Everton star Doucoure for free
Abdoulaye Doucoure of Everton is reportedly “getting closer to Leeds,” according to reports in France. The Toffees player’s contract expires at the end of the current campaign, therefore a free transfer to the Whites is possible.
The £130,000-per-week midfielder, who recently discussed his future at Everton, is a target for those at Elland Road. “I can’t talk too much about that but obviously you know it may be my last few months here at the moment. Everything is quiet from the club side. Obviously I love the club, I always said. Let’s see what happens in the next couple of weeks.”
When asked about signing a new deal with Everton, the 32-year-old added: “Why not? To be honest I love this club. I always said I wanted to stay. Obviously my contract is running out but I love the club.”
| Similar players to Abdoulaye Doucoure | Club |
|---|---|
| Kalvin Phillips | Man City |
| Manuel Ugarte | Man Utd |
| Joao Gomes | Wolves |
| Amadou Onana | Aston Villa |
| Ilia Gruev | Leeds |
As an interesting side note, Football Transfers has linked Phillips to Doucoure, who can play as a holding, central, or attacking midfielder. One thing to watch in the upcoming months may be a low-cost transfer to Yorkshire.
In related news:
‘Accurate and powerful’: Leeds United told they have a ‘lethal’ teenager just like Harry Kane
Harry Gray earns Italian attention after Leeds United debut
The Leeds manager believes Harry Grey is a “important part” of the team’s long- and short-term future, even if he has been cautious not to place undue pressure on his 16-year-old protégé.
Some have even said that Archie, a Tottenham standout who is presently valued at £35 million, could not be the most gifted Grey playing right now.
Harry, a center-forward instead of his older brother’s midfielder-turned-defender, has scored three goals in his previous four Premier League 2 games. A 16-year-old striker who is occasionally even half a decade older than him runs laps around defenders.
The most intriguing up-and-coming players from Serie A and beyond are the focus of the regular “Talent of the Day” piece published by the Italian publication Tuttomercatoweb.
And Grey is the most recent English-based prospect to gain worldwide prominence after making his debut senior appearance.
Having already published articles about Trey Nyoni, the midfield gem for Liverpool, Max Dowman, the wonderkid for Arsenal, and Diego Leon, the new left-back for Manchester United, TMW writes, “He is regarded as one of the brightest talents in England’s youth system.”
“The key to his game is his lethal goal-scoring instinct, with the ability to strike with both feet. He is described as a ‘clean’ and lethal finisher, capable of accurate and powerful shots, often being compared to Michael Owen for the quality of his shots.”
Gray has been likened to Michael Owen and Harry Kane
Andy Wright, a former Leeds prospect, made the Michael Owen reference in an interview with The Athletic a few months back. Wright, who won the FA Youth Cup in 1997, faced off against some of the up-and-coming talents of his time.
He also feels that there isn’t much that separates Grey from an Owen who was famous before Ballon D’Or and England.
Wright, who saw Grey in action at Leeds Academy, says, “It’s the finishing that wasn’t normal for me.” Additionally, he highlights the adolescent’s lack of coordination within the penalty area.
“His right foot’s unbelievable but you put him on his left and he hits the ball so cleanly and it’s gone. It’s like a bullet and it’s in the back of the net.
“When I was a younger player, I played with some very, very good players. He’s better than them. The Michael Owens I’ve played with; For finishing, he’s as good as I’ve ever seen.”
On the other hand, Tuttomercatoweb chooses to compare Harry Grey to a Three Lions legend from a more recent era. They contend that the Leeds youngster’s ambidextrous, forceful, and varied finishing is reminiscent of England’s all-time record goalscorer from his early days at Tottenham Hotspur, and that there are hints of Bayern Munich talisman Harry Kane.
