Archie Gray is set to complete a move from Leeds United to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday but Darren Bent has expressed his doubts overs a move to North London.
It has been a busy couple of days for 18-year-old Gray. Initially, Aston Villa held talks last week for the youngster before he traveled to West London to undergo a medical with Brentford on Saturday evening.
However, Sunday morning saw Leeds reject a move to Brentford and that is when Tottenham came in. Spurs have agreed a £40m deal for Gray and in the same talks, Leeds will sign Joe Rodon for a £10m fee.
Leeds had to make one big sale in order to comply with Profit & Sustainability Rules alongside the sales of Marc Roca, Diego Llorente and others. Charlie Cresswell was set for Toulouse before a move failed.
So, Gray will depart Leeds for Spurs but former Tottenham striker Bent has doubts regarding a move:
Darren Bent expresses concern over Gray joining Tottenham
It is one of the biggest moves of the windows so far. Not just in terms of transfer fee, but given it is between two of England’s biggest clubs, of whom have an excellent working relationship right now.
Jack Clarke, Gretar Steinsson, Djed Spence and then Rodon last summer have all changed hands. Now, Gray is about to be added to that list while Rodon returns to Elland Road where he is deemed a favourite.
But Bent told TalkSPORT on Monday (July 1, 12.10PM) that he worries for Gray’s game time at Spurs. He thinks had Gray gone to Brentford and not had a ‘change of heart’, he would have had a better chance.
“He is versatile. Full-back, in central midfield, passes the ball, gets on the ball, comfortable in possession. Going into a dressing room like Tottenham where they are pushing for top four, it’s different expectations.
“If he goes to Brentford, he maybe can settle in for a year and then obviously really kick on next year. I know he is ready to go now, but 18 years old – that’s still really young,” Bent continued on Gray’s move.
“Working with a coach like Ange Postecoglou, it is about potential and it is about maybe the years to come. But if he had gone to Brentford, I think he would have got in straightaway and probably played.”
Do Leeds need to cash in on any other players after Gray sale?
As reported, Gray’s exit was somewhat forced due to Leeds’ issue with Profit & Sustainability. The belief is that Leeds had to get one big name out of the door and rake in a big fee to avoid a points deduction.
Newcastle have had to sell Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson, Leicester have waved goodbye to their best player in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The 49ers are mopping up Andrea Radrizzani’s credit card tactics.
But do Leeds need to sell again after Gray joins Tottenham? Well, Ben Jacobs reports that Gray’s move away from Leeds puts them in a much better position and won’t be forced to sell Crysencio Summerville.
