Manchester City close to renewing Charlie Gray's deal after contract expiry

Manchester City are close to agreeing a new contract with academy midfielder Charlie Gray, whose previous deal expired at the end of June, the Manchester Evening News reports.

Gray, 20, was offered fresh terms as his contract wound down and an agreement is understood to be imminent. The deal will resolve any immediate uncertainty over his future, having been linked with a move to Sunderland last summer amid interest from other clubs.

The central midfielder impressed through City’s youth ranks last season, most notably in a 4-0 UEFA Youth League victory away at Real Madrid, before earning a place in the squad for the Carabao Cup tie against Brentford in December. He came off the bench in the closing minutes to make his senior debut at the Etihad Stadium.

“Getting the debut in the end was a dream come true,” Gray told the Manchester Evening News. “You get told that you’re in the squad the day before and just from that I was obviously over the moon just being on the bench. I was never expecting to come on but with 10 minutes left I got the call back and just a rush to get on the pitch.”

Gray also reflected on the personal significance of the moment. “I had quite a few family there — probably seven or eight. They’ve taken me to training since I was young, watched my games since Under-5s at Platt Lane, so seeing that and then me playing at the Etihad was a proud moment for them as well.”

While his long-term future at the club remains to be determined, Gray could feature in City’s pre-season tour of Asia in early August as Enzo Maresca oversees three matches in the region.