Harry Gray responds to new Leeds exit as ‘king’ departs
Leeds United’s latest transfer announcement has led to an outpouring of emotion from team-mates new and old.
Daniel Farke and 49ers Enterprises are well underway in their efforts to create a Premier League-ready squad at Elland Road, with Leeds in need of improvement despite a title-winning Championship season.
A points tally of 100 and a sizeable 95 in the ‘goals scored’ column won’t provide much of an advantage against Premier League defences, and Lukas Nmecha has since arrived to bolster Leeds’ striking ranks.
Further reinforcements are expected at Elland Road this summer with a £32million bid for Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz already rejected, while Harry Gray has developed at a rapid rate in Leeds‘ academy.
Gray gives Junior Firpo send-off after Leeds exit confirmed
Gray made his Leeds debut at just 16 in the 6-0 victory over Stoke City which all-but sealed their return to the Premier League, and that match showcased the very best of their attacking talent on full display.
As well as Joel Piroe’s four goals and Jayden Bogle’s man-of-the-match display, Junior Firpo scored his fourth and final goal of a season which also saw the 28-year-old register a 10 assists from left-back.
The Dominican Republic international had been subject to plenty of transfer speculation as his contract ticked towards its 30 June expiry date, and Leeds confirmed that Firpo would leave the club on Tuesday.
Firpo’s exit has led to tributes from several current and former Leeds team-mates, and young striker Gray shared an image of the pair on his Instagram story (1 July) including two ‘crown’ emojis.
Leeds to step up transfer pursuits after Firpo departure
Football Insider Verdict
Nmecha’s arrival at Elland Road was the first of two confirmed by Leeds so far, with Jaka Bijol’s arrival through the doors for £15million set to be followed by fellow centre-back Sebastiaan Bornauw.
Left-back will shoot to the top of the transfer priority list at Elland Road in the wake of Firpo’s departure, but with Alex Moreno looking set to stay at Aston Villa, it remains to be seen where Leeds will turn next.
Further additions up front to complement Nmecha will knock Gray further down the pecking order, but the uber-confident teenager certainly won’t let that stand in his way as he looks to make his mark at Leeds next season.