Leeds United facing 'almighty backlash' as Tottenham confirm £40m Archie Gray transfer

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed their second summer signing after announcing that Archie Gray has completed a £40million move from Championship side Leeds United.

Gray lit up the Championship last season, despite being just 17 for much of it, playing 52 times for the Whites. The casual observer may think many of those appearances might have come off the substitutes' bench given he is a teenager, but they would be wrong - Gray played the full 90 minutes for Leeds 41 times.

Able to play in the midfield or at right-back, Gray has been described as a generational talent and England manager Gareth Southgate has already namechecked him as a potential senior international moving forward.

"There are some players with the Under-21s who are doing exceptionally well, especially in midfield," Southgate said in May. "The likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Harvey Elliott, Rico [Lewis] was with us last time, Archie Gray at Leeds is doing very, very well I have to say, so there are a number of players in that group we could move in."

Gray had looked set for a move to Brentford, but having seemingly agreed on a price, the Bees could not get the transfer over the line, with disagreements over the structure of the deal. Spurs swooped and have got their man, with Joe Rodon heading in the opposite direction in a separate deal worth around £10million.

Leeds United needed to sell this summer to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules, although any deal did not need to be completed before July 1. Gray was not one the club wanted to part with though.

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Leeds Live writer Beren Cross told football.london that supporters would have much preferred to sell Crysencio Summerville and in fact almost every single other member of the squad than Gray.

He said: "Archie Gray is one of the players to come out of last season with a high profile. The 18-year-old was named Championship Young Player of the Season.

"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.

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"While 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. There is no hiding the fact Gray can become a generational England talent. Gareth Southgate has already started talking about him after one full season of senior football.

"Any fee raised for him this summer could feasibly be doubled in two more years, if Leeds can just hold on. [Paraag] Marathe and the board know they will face an almighty backlash if Gray is sold this summer."

Listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham, where Alasdair and Rob chat all things Archie Gray, by clicking here! In depth Spurs chat on your preferred podcast platform.

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