On Sunday, Leeds United failed to clinch their spot in the Premier League as they tasted defeat against Southampton in the Championship play-off final.
And it turns out that could well be positive news for Tottenham Hotspur this summer with the transfer window set to open in a matter of weeks’ time.
There may actually be one negative from the result at Wembley Stadium on Sunday with the on-loan Joe Rodon‘s future at Elland Road up in the air.
The Wales international has enjoyed a seriously impressive campaign on-loan in the Championship with the Yorkshire side.
However, their failure to return to the top flight is reportedly going to have some major implications on the club financially over the coming months.
And that could well work both for and against Tottenham this summer with one current Leeds player potentially offering Spurs the perfect option to address two of their summer needs.
Tottenham must go all out to bring Archie Gray to the Premier League
Leeds’ requirement to pay their outstanding transfer creditors before the summer transfer window may mean they have to make some tough decisions.
One of them may well surround the future of their prized asset in Archie Gray with the young Durham-born star proving to be one of the most impressive talents around.
Despite being just 18-year-old, Gray has become one of the mainstays in Daniel Farke’s Leeds starting XI having racked up a staggering 52 appearances in the 2023/24 campaign.
According to The Sun, Gray has already attracted the attention of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich ahead of this summer’s transfer window.
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The youngster has been hailed for his performances in the Leeds side this season with Jermaine Beckford praising him on Sky Sports.
“I thought he was incredible. Watching him play, you forget about his age, you forget he’s only 17 years old. When he first started training with the first-team, he was still doing his GCSEs,” he said.
And this is a player who could offer Tottenham with the perfect solution to two of their summer needs.
Archie Gray could provide right-back and midfield cover
Spurs are going into the summer transfer window with full-back cover needed and more options in the midfield with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg expected to move on.
Gray is a player who could provide an answer to both of those requirements having played the majority of the campaign at right-back for Leeds.
The 18-year-old was able to provide a goal and two assists from the defensive position and could be a natural fit for Postecoglou’s demands of an inverted full-back as he also plays in midfield.
Gray’s great-uncle, Eddie Gray, who is a Leeds United legend has already admitted he sees his nephew’s future in his more natural position of midfield.
“He’s having a good season Archie. He’s been playing at right back. He’s not a right back, he’s a midfield player,” he told ITV Sport back in February.
“He’ll end up playing in the middle of the park. But he’s been in the side for a very young age, he’s coped well. He’s not playing in his best position, he’s playing at right back but he’s a midfield player.”
Archie Gray has already proved himself against Premier League opposition
Earlier this season, Gray played against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup where Leeds narrowly tasted defeat.
Gray played the full 90 minutes against the Blues and received huge praise from Leeds reporter Beren Cross after the game who awarded him a 9/10 rating.
“A performance beyond his years. Not the first time this season it has felt like he came of age, but in this company, to run a second half at Stamford Bridge at 17 was pretty special,” Cross wrote.
“Breathtaking talent. Never seemed fazed or rushed by anything in the busiest part of the pitch. Instrumental to United’s second-half renaissance.”
Here is a summary of Gray’s display from midfield against Chelsea.
- 90 minutes played
- 55 touches
- 93% pass accuracy
- 1 key pass
- 1/1 long balls
- 6/11 ground duels won
- 2 tackles
- 4/6 successful dribbles
Statistics via SofaScore.
A number of clubs may well be making a move for Gray this summer, but with Rodon having impressed so heavily this season at Elland Road, perhaps Spurs hold an advantage with Rodon returning to Hotspur Way.
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