Tottenham Hotspur are in talks to sign Archie Gray from Leeds United after a move to Brentford was rejected by the Yorkshire club on Sunday morning.
In what is turning into the first transfer saga of the summer, Leeds gave permission for 18-year-old Gray to travel to West London on Saturday evening and undergo a medical at Brentford in a deal worth £40m.
Having passed that medical, it was expected that Gray would be joining Thomas Frank’s side. But in a major twist on Sunday morning, Leeds opted to turn down the bid from Brentford despite the medical.
Plenty of Premier League clubs had been keeping tabs on Gray should a move to Brentford fall through, including Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea, Aston Villa and West Ham and now, Spurs are leading the way.
A new update from David Ornstein on Archie Gray
It was The Athletic’s chief football writer that reported on Saturday evening that Gray was heading to Brentford for a medical with a £40m deal in place, but now it has been rejected in what came as a shock.
The Athletic’s Ornstein now says Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham are making headway ahead of Brentford and their other Premier League rivals in pursuit of the Thorp Arch product and England U21 international.
Spurs are in talks, and Gray has experienced what is described as a “change of heart” in which Gray is now leaning towards North London instead of West London, and a move to Spurs over Brentford.
Tottenham are confident of a deal but Gray must be wary
The report states that Spurs are confident they can get a deal over the line for Gray, with the belief from all parties a move will get over the line. It is unclear how much Daniel Levy is willing to offer for Gray.
Personal terms have not yet been agreed between Tottenham and Gray but Spurs are now firm favourites to do a deal, with Leeds needing to sell before July 1 in order to comply with Profit & Sustainability Rules.
Leeds have sold a youngster to Tottenham in the past in the form of Jack Clarke, and Gray must be wary that should he join Spurs, he does not repeat history in that Clarke flopped while on the Spurs books.