Ipswich Town have seen a bid of £10m rejected for a player that is now on his way to Leeds United ahead of agreeing a permanent move with Daniel Farke’s side.
If the transfer window had taken some time to kick into gear at Elland Road in June, then July has started in the complete opposite fashion. Archie Gray is closing in on a move to Tottenham Hotspur today.
It comes after a whirlwind 36 hours in which Gray was initially joining Brentford and even arrived for a medical in West London, only for Leeds to then reject a bid from The Bees on Sunday morning.
The teenager changed his mind and preferred Tottenham with Leeds and Brentford unable to agree on a structure of payments, despite agreeing a £40m fee. Gray is now closer than ever to joining Tottenham.
Leeds set to make their first signing of the summer window
While Gray is departing for a fee that will see Leeds rake in their third-highest fee in the club’s history behind Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha, there is a bit of good news for the Whites and it is a new signing.
Graeme Bailey exclusively told LeedsUnited.News on Monday morning that Joe Rodon would return to Leeds on a permanent basis as part of talks between Spurs and the Yorkshire club in the last few days.
It is believed that Gray’s move to Tottenham and Rodon’s return to Leeds are separate deals, but it will see Leeds earn £30m in profit. Farke gets to keep Rodon but loses Thorp Arch academy product Gray.
Before the news of Rodon rejoining Leeds emerged on Monday, it was claimed that Ipswich had made a verbal offer for Rodon. Now, Alasdair Gold claims Ipswich actually tabled a £10m bid but it was rejected.
Gold said: “Understand Joe Rodon is likely to head to Leeds as part of Spurs’ deal for Archie Gray. Leeds is the defender’s preferred destination after loving last season there. Ipswich had a £10m offer rejected.”
Ipswich have beaten Leeds to another signing, on a free transfer
Leeds had also been linked with a move for versatile right-back Ben Johnson, who was out of contract at West Ham. On Sunday, the Hammers confirmed Johnson would be leaving the club as a free agent.
But instead of Leeds making a move to land the England U21 star, Ipswich agreed a move. We reported Fabrizio Romano’s update earlier today and since, Ipswich have confirmed the arrival of the defender.