JUST IN: transfer policy at Leeds United is described in light of Tottenham’s summer interest and…
Tottenham Hotspur are among most of the Premier League and Europe’s top clubs in having an interest in Leeds teenager Archie Gray but it will not be an easy task for anyone looking to sign him this summer.
football.london reported this week that Spurs have a strong interest in the youngster, who only turned 18 in March but played 52 times last season for Daniel Farke’s side as they just missed out on promotion to the Premier League, gaining 90 points in the Championship but losing in the play-off final to Southampton.
Gray’s versatility meant he started the season in attacking, defensive and box-to-box central midfield roles, where he spent much of his academy years, but then went on to become a highly effective right-back for Leeds, keeping the then on-loan Spurs man Djed Spence out of the team in the first half of the campaign.
That ability to play in both midfield and right-back would mark out Gray as a well-rounded candidate to take on Ange Postecoglou’s inverted right-back role., which would only add to Tottenham’s interest.
There would be plenty of competition for the teenager though and with a long contract until 2028, after only signing a new deal in January, some have placed a £50million tag on him. All eyes would be on how much money the Yorkshire club needs to raise after missing out on the riches of promotion to the Premier League.
football.london asked Beren Cross, who covers Leeds United week in, week out for Leeds Live, what he thought about the situation with Gray this summer.
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“Archie Gray is one of the other players to come out of last season with a high profile. The 18-year-old was named Championship Young Player of the Season. You can see the trend,” he said. “The difference with Gray is his age and importance to the fan base. His name is iconic in Leeds circles, as the grandson of Frank and great-nephew of Eddie, and as a product of the academy, he bleeds white.
“While supporters understand money needs to be raised this summer, they would rather sell every player in the squad before parting with Gray. While [Crysencio] Summerville’s aspirations and trajectory are accepted, at 18, there is belief Gray can have more years with his boyhood club to develop before flying the nest.