"I have heard" - Exclusive: Sky pundit drops Harry Gray, Leeds United claim as Arsenal and Spurs lurk | OneFootball

Don Goodman believes Leeds United should hand Harry Gray a first-team chance as Premier League interest begin to circle

Pundit Don Goodman believes Leeds United should hand Elland Road starlet Harry Gray a first-team opportunity as early as possible, as interest from Premier League clubs begins to mount for the youngster.

Despite not kicking a ball at professional level for the Whites, Harry Gray, who is the younger brother of former Leeds academy graduate Archie, has excelled at U18 level at 15-years-old, leading to interest from the likes of Newcastle United, as well as North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

Gray has accelerated through the youth ranks at Elland Road, making his debut for the U18s while he was 14, scoring against Sunderland in a 4-3 loss last October.

His early form was incredibly impressive, scoring four goals in his first four matches in the U18 Premier League, and he finished the campaign with eight goals in 11 games, despite missing the majority of the season.

Such consistency earned him his first call-up to England's U16s side, and he has made five appearances at that level.

Gray has featured for Leeds United in pre-season, coming off the bench against Harrogate Town in a 3-0 win on his non-competitive debut.

As Gray will only continue to thrive and develop the older he becomes, Leeds have been advised over what the next steps should be, and whether they can overcome interest from some Premier League heavyweights.

Don Goodman urges Leeds United to hand Harry Gray playing time

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Don Goodman believes Leeds United should be handing Harry Gray gametime at the earliest opportunity, with the former Wolves and West Brom player feeling the surrounding hype is fully justified.

Goodman said: “This is the modern world we live in now when, even though you haven’t made a first-team appearance and made your league debut, if you’re at a club in the Championship that are as big as Leeds United are, then vultures will have eyes on the best talents you're producing.

"With Harry Gray, I have heard spectacular things about him on the grape vine, and I’ve been told he’s even better than his older brother Archie, which is exciting, but really important that Leeds try and keep him at the football club and give him an opportunity at the earliest possible convenience.”

Leeds United must hand Harry Gray gametime to benefit from his talents

If Leeds United don’t act quickly and promote Harry Gray into the first team picture at Elland Road, then he is going to feel more inclined to move away from the club and make a name for himself at one of the top clubs in the Premier League.

However, he won’t be a household name until the long-term future at an Arsenal or Newcastle United, and staying at Leeds United is the quickest route for him to take English football by storm, but the Whites must give him that outlet and make him feel a valued part of the squad under Daniel Farke.

With Leeds possessing such a top talent at the club, they simply can’t waste it, and could be huge beneficiaries if they take the gamble of playing him somewhere down the line.