Leeds United miss PSR deadline as Archie Gray to seal Tottenham transfer but there's good reason

Tottenham are about to complete the transfer of Leeds starlet Archie Gray on Monday in a deal that many people expected would have to be sealed by end of Sunday.

Spurs have agreed the switch with Leeds that will see them spend between £25million and £30million on the 18-year-old, with Joe Rodon heading the other way in a separate move which takes the total package up to one approaching £40million for Gray. Tottenham grabbed the opportunity when Gray's advanced move to Brentford collapsed as the Bees could not agree terms on the payment structure for their deal worth up to £40million.

Gray, who will sign a six-year contract, will join up with Ange Postecoglou's squad this month to prepare for the season ahead. He will be Tottenham's third summer arrival so far following the arrival of Lucas Bergvall and return of Timo Werner. Gray played 52 times for Leeds in the previous campaign, turning out in both central midfield and at right-back. He dazzled in the centre of the pitch against Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round tie at Stamford Bridge despite being only 17 at the time.

Rodon, Tottenham's 26-year-old Wales international centre-back, who is currently in Santa Barbara, California, on a training camp ahead of the new season, is believed to have preferred the return to Elland Road ahead of interest from Premier League sides Ipswich and Leicester City after an impressive loan season that he relished in Yorkshire. Ipswich are understood to have had a £10million offer rejected by Tottenham, with Kieran McKenna a big admirer of the centre-back.

Many expected the deal for Gray to need to be done before the end of June 30 in order to help Leeds with their profit and sustainability rules (PSR) issues. However, Leeds Live reporter Beren Cross, who covers United week in, week out, told football.london this week that the Yorkshire club were in no rush to accept just any deal for the teenager.

"Whites chairman Paraag Marathe has already acknowledged sales will be needed in this transfer window to ensure the club complies with profitability and sustainability rules. Recent investment from Red Bull, understood to be the biggest sponsorship deal in EFL history, has markedly helped the situation. Marathe even said that deal could be the difference between selling or keeping a key player this summer," he said.

That investment meant that Leeds could move this deal into next season's sales within PSR with a reported £190million still to be paid in outstanding transfer instalments and the Gray sale will help them towards that, while gaining a popular player in Rodon.

Listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham featuring lots of chat on Archie Gray by clicking here! In depth Spurs chat on your preferred podcast platform.

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