Archie Gray is nearing a shock move to Brentford from Leeds United as The Whites push through a move due to Profit & Sustainability Rules, but five other Premier League clubs are still circling.
The news emerged on Saturday evening that 18-year-old Gray will be sold by Leeds to Brentford, with the player undergoing a medical which should have been completed by the close of play on Saturday night.
Leeds have been forced into the shock sale of the fan favourite due to the club’s need to comply with Profit & Sustainability Rules, and there being no offers on the table for other big-name Leeds players.
The Whites had to sell then and Gray looks as if he will join Thomas Frank’s side but if for whatever reason the versatile ace doesn’t go, there are five other Premier League clubs lurking and ready to hijack a deal.
Five other Premier League clubs lurking for Leeds talent Gray
It is believed that Gray was happy to stay at Elland Road. The Thorp Arch academy product signed a new long-term deal in January and with his family fully integrated into the history of Leeds, he was set to stay.
But with the calendar year of PSR set to start afresh on July 1, Leeds needed a big sale in order to comply with the rules. Many had expected the sacrificed player to be a Crysencio Summerville, or Willy Gnonto.
Instead it is Gray, who is now on the verge of completing a move to Brentford. TalkSPORT state however, that is a move does fall through, five Premier League clubs are lurking and ready to make a move.
Indeed, they might not even wait for a Brentford move to fail. The report says Tottenham could match the £40m bid tabled by Brentford, while Liverpool, Chelsea, West Ham and Aston Villa are keeping tabs.
What else do we know about Gray’s move to Brentford?
Well, reports say that Gray was happy to stay but the club told the player he had to go purely because of the club’s desperation to avoid a points deduction and there being no other offers on the table right now.
Leeds had to make a decision before July 1 and unfortunately, that means Gray will be the one to go. It is also claimed that Gray will earn a whopping £75,000 a week at Brentford should a move be completed.
But what is obvious, is that this move from The 49ers is going to anger large sections of the club’s fans and weaken the relationship between the owners and the fans and an explanation is now required.