It emerged on Saturday evening that Leeds United wonderkid Archie Gray is edging closer towards a move that takes him to Brentford – and Graham Smyth has provided an update.
Gray, 18, has been strongly linked with the exit door at Elland Road this summer. Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe recently made it clear that he would not rule out the possible sale of Gray in the coming weeks.
But with Profit & Sustainability rules dictating how much a club can lose financially in a calendar year, and that year coming to an end on July 1, clubs in danger of breaking those rules have had to cash in now.
Newcastle are close to selling Yankuba Minteh to Brighton and Leicester are in talks with Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Newcastle and Leicester are in danger of a new points deduction.
It seems Leeds and The 49ers may fall foul of similar rule breaks, hence the desperation to offload a big-name player. Gray, to the anger of Leeds fans, looks as if he will be that player before the July 1 deadline.
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Graham Smyth delivers ‘tonight’ update on Archie Gray exit
David Ornstein initially reported that Thomas Frank’s Brentford had agreed a £35m deal to sign Gray from his boyhood club. A player that agreed a long-term deal with Leeds back in January, but times change.
Leeds clearly feel that could be in danger of breaking the rules and a sale was required. It looks as if the 49ers are going to sacrifice Gray with Brentford the beneficiaries, even if it is going to annoy Leeds fans.
The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Smyth reported on Twitter in the midst of the Gray drama that a fee would be £40m with add-ons, and that Gray would complete a medical in West London on Saturday night.
He also reports that Brentford want to wrap up a deal quickly to avoid a hijack from Tottenham or Chelsea. He said: “The deal is £40m, potential for add ons and payment schedule still being discussed.
“Medical will be completed by tonight. Brentford will want it wrapped up asap to avoid hijacking. Spurs and Chelsea still keen. P&S written all over it but still going to be hard to explain,” Smyth explained.
Why, oh why, are Leeds willing to sell Gray?
The bits that are understandable from a Leeds point of view are that possibly, the club feel they may they could fall foul of PSR rules. Fine, but Leeds fans will ask why is it Gray that has to be the one sacrificed?
Leeds fans will have grown to accept over the last few weeks and months that Crysencio Summerville would be sold. Willy Gnonto too, given the Italian’s desire to leave the club last summer, and told no.
The reason it probably is Gray, is that there weren’t any offers on the table for the two wingers or any other players, that would bring in a significant profit. Gray represents 100% profit in the eyes of PSR.