Leeds United are closing in on the controversial sale of Archie Gray to Brentford this weekend with the club needing to sell a big-name player, and Ben Jacobs shares what Leeds have told Gray.
The 18-year-old midfielder is closing in on a move to Premier League side Brentford with the belief being that Leeds needed to make a big sale before July 1 in order to comply with Profit & Sustainability Rules.
But instead of selling a player that Leeds fans had expected to leave, like a Crysencio Summerville or a Willy Gnonto, the 49ers have decided to accept an offer for England U21 talent and Leeds product Gray.
It has of course angered supporters on social media, who cannot believe that the club would even discuss selling the teenage talent this summer. To avoid a points deduction, Leeds have decided to offload Gray.
What Leeds have told Gray with the player happy to stay put
Gray signed a new long-term deal at Elland Road in January and the belief was that even if Leeds did not get promoted, the wonderkid would stay given it was his first season and his family connection to Leeds.
But with Leeds needing to sell and there being no other offers on the table for the likes of Summerville or Gnonto, the club may have been forced to cash in on Gray in order to comply with rules set by PSR.
Transfer expert Ben Jacobs has reported on Twitter that Gray was more than happy to stay at Leeds but the club informed the player that they needed to sell him so they would not risk a points deduction.
He said: “Understand Gray is content to stay at Leeds, but the terms offered by Brentford are excellent and Leeds have made it clear they need to sell. Big move for the 18-year-old if all goes to plan, but also a difficult 24 hours for Gray, who was not pushing to leave Leeds this summer.”
Do Leeds now need to sell Crysencio Summerville or another?
Initial reports suggests that Leeds owe £190m in player transfers. But that is offset by the sales of Tyler Adams and Luis Sinisterra, and the investment of RedBull, with less than £100m actually required.
Jacobs also reports that the sale of Gray then means Leeds are confident of complying with the rules set by PSR, and are under no pressure to make another big-name sale in the form of Summerville now.
It puts the club in a stronger position when it comes to bids being made for the Dutch winger, or any other key players moving forward. But ask any Leeds fan, they’d rather keep Gray then Summerville.