Leeds United made an attempt to include Oliver Skipp alongside Joe Rodon in the deal that is taking Archie Gray to Tottenham Hotspur.
It is just a matter of time until Gray is officially announced as a new Tottenham player after a fee in the region of £40 million was agreed with Leeds for the 18-year-old.
In a separate transaction, Leeds are set to complete the permanent signing of Rodon for £10 million, in what is a decent sweetener for supporters after losing the club’s best academy graduate in several years.
The two clubs have clearly struck up a decent relationship behind-the-scenes which has allowed Spurs to swoop in at the 11th hour and hijack Brentford’s deal for Gray.
Angus Kinnear is believed to know Spurs owner Daniel Levy well, while Leeds’ technical director Gretar Steinsson was at the North London club until his move to Elland Road last summer.
Why Leeds could still sign Skipp this summer
It was reported by Football.London at the weekend that Leeds and Spurs were both casting a keen eye over a few of each other’s players this summer.
Gray and Rodon were the obvious two, but midfielder Skipp is also someone Leeds have an interest in.
In fact, Leeds even tried to include Skipp in the deal that is taking Gray to Spurs, though it was rejected by Ange Postecoglou’s side.
However, according to Give Me Sport, Leeds still retain an interest in Skipp this summer despite their failed attempt at prising him to Elland Road.
The report states there is a possibility a move could still happen, too, due to Skipp’s relationship with Leeds manager Daniel Farke, with the 23-year-old a ‘big admirer’ of the German.
Skipp worked alongside Farke during a loan spell at Norwich City in which he made 45 appearances as the Canaries romped to the Championship title.
It is said at this stage Skipp is reluctant to drop back into the second tier, but if no other Premier League interest arises, it will be interesting to see if he changes his mind amid the competition for places in Spurs’ midfield.
Skipp has already hailed Farke for his development
It is quite clear the two have a strong mutual admiration for each other with Farke having labelled him as a ‘top player’ during their spell at Carrow Road.
Skipp has also publicly praised Farke for the role he has played in his development and after losing his way a bit at Spurs, the Leeds boss could be what he needs to get his career back on track again.
He said: “It was a crucial time for me in terms of getting regular games. You go out on loan with the hope that you’ll be able to play a significant number of matches, but I didn’t go to Norwich with the feeling that I’d play 45 of the 46 games and that the season would go as well as it did.
“I’m so grateful to [Daniel Farke] and all the players, they all helped me settle in so easily, and then helped to create the player that you see today.”
